TOMMY "TOMBO" BOLTON

Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, Tommy “Tombo” Bolton established himself as one of the most accomplished and influential African-American motorcycle racers of all time. During his illustrious career, he won over 25 championships and broke numerous barriers, including securing major sponsorships at a time when such achievements were unheard of for African-American racers. His peers, other great African-American motorcycle drag racers, have credited Tombo as their inspiration to get into racing. His groundbreaking achievements include becoming the first African-American drag bike racer to pass the 200 mph mark with a 7.18 at 205 mph in 1990, and being the first African-American motorcycle racer to run a 7-second 1/4 mile.

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Tombo's racing career began at the young age of 19, and by the mid-eighties, he was receiving notoriety as the first African-American to rise to prominence in the sport. He earned the distinction of being the first to win top-ten plates in all major DRAGBIKE USA categories, and in the early nineties, entered the competitive NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racing, becoming the category’s first African-American racer to receive major sponsorship. By the mid-nineties, Tombo moved to Oklahoma City, focusing on tuning the bike, and as a tuner, he won 11 championships. Today, Tombo continues to contribute to the sport through his business, Tombo Racing, where he builds sport bikes, drag bikes, and baggers, leaving an indelible mark on the motorcycle racing world.