🔥 DRAG THE DRAGON: Red River Run 🔥
🏁 Who’s got the Baddest Bagger in the Bluegrass? 🏁
📍 Kentucky Dragway | Clay City, KY
🗓️ July 11th and July 12th
Get ready to rumble in the heart of the Bluegrass! Man O’ War Harley-Davidson and Kentucky Dragway invite you to Drag the Dragon: Red River Run, happening July 11th & 12th.
This event is a nod to the legendary "Eye of the Dragon" ride at Red River Gorge, combining drag racing, cruising, and biker culture into one epic weekend.
EVENT SCHEDULE & HIGHLIGHTS:
-Friday, July 11th – Welcome Party
Kick off the weekend with a welcome party at Kentucky Dragway featuring music, food, drinks, and biker camaraderie.
-Saturday, July 12th – Red River Run & Man O' War H-D Cruise
Morning - Drag Racing Begins
Gates Open: 9:00 AM at Kentucky Dragway
KY Dragway Competitor Check-in: Register at the front gate upon arrival
Man O' War H-D Cruise: All racers will meet at Man O’ War Harley-Davidson (2073 Bryant Rd, Lexington, KY) starting at 4:00 PM. Kickstands up at 5:00 PM sharp. From there, we’ll hit a short stretch of interstate to Winchester, then connect to KY-15 and roll out through the beautiful backroads of Kentucky, finishing at Kentucky Dragway in Clay City.
*All bikes participating in the race must meet at MOW H-D on the 12th and complete the cruise from our dealership to KY Dragway.
🚫 NO HOONING – Save the stunts and burnouts for the track. Riders are expected to keep it chill on the cruise. This is about showing respect on the road and saving the heat for the strip.
🔧 TECH CHECK & ENTRY – After the cruise, you’ll roll into tech inspection. This is a NO PREP, HEADS-UP race — bring your A-game.
• Tech card is $50 per racer
• $20 from each entry goes straight into the payout pot
• For example: 10 racers = $200 payout
• But if we hit our goal of 50 racers, the payout will be $1,000 — plus the Man O’ War Harley-Davidson Gift Card, trophy, and ultimate bragging rights.
💨 THE RACE – Once you’re cleared, it’s game on. Run what you brung and let the pavement sort out the talkers from the takers. Who’s got the baddest bagger in the Bluegrass? We’re about to find out.
🎤 Smack Talk Welcome – Think you’re the top dog? Say it with your chest. Video callouts are encouraged — tag your rivals, stir it up, and show us who you’re calling out. Just be ready to back it up at the tree.
🎁 Winner takes home:
🏆 Man O’ War Harley-Davidson Gift Card
💵 Cash payout (based on entries – up to $1,000!)
👑 Trophy & full bragging rights
Open to V-Twins only – this one’s for the torque monsters and bagger brawlers.
Spectators welcome – come for the vibes, stay for the smoke.
🗺️ Full route map and tech requirements coming soon.
🔥 Let’s light up the mountains and put the Bluegrass on the map. See you at the strip
Vehicle Racing/KY Dragway Details:
-Track Prep:
Street Prep only — the track will be sprayed and worked with the track drag.
No radial or high prep.
Tune accordingly for true street conditions.
No tire changing, no trailers, no hitch platforms, no cargo in truck beds or roof racks.
Vehicles must drive in, race-ready, with full fuel tanks (no fuel jugs permitted; fuel stops incorporated into the cruise).
-Race Procedure:
Mandatory Process:
Competitors must go directly to staging lanes upon entry—no pitting or delays.
If you need to use the restroom, park in staging lanes first.
All vehicles make two back-to-back passes starting at 10 AM.
After second pass, proceed directly to staging lanes for the cruise departure.
-Cruise – Red River Run:
Route:
Depart the dragstrip behind the pace car.
Navigate the Eye of the Dragon and Red River Run loop—66.47 miles with over 200 curves through scenic back roads and highways.
Scheduled stops, checkpoints, and a fuel stop built in.
All vehicles tracked (possibly via Life360).
-Catch-up windows: 15 minutes per stop, adjusted as needed depending on entries and conditions.
*Important: No trailering allowed at the track. If trailered in, vehicles must be dropped at a Powell County hotel, campground, or Air B&B with receipt for overnight stay dated for the event. Verification required.
-Back at the Track:
Two final passes (making four total).
Once all vehicles return to the dragstrip, competitors will go straight to staging lanes and make two back-to-back passes.
Average of all four passes will determine your final time.
This is a True Street Drag & Drive event—No Electric Vehicles allowed.
Any schedule adjustments will be discussed in the drivers meeting.
Times may adjust based on attendance and conditions.
Whether you’re in it for the run, the competition, or the backroads, Drag the Dragon: Red River Run is your chance to experience real-deal Kentucky speed, scenery, and biker community.
All bikes welcome. All fun guaranteed.
You may also like the following events from Man O'War Harley-Davidson of Lexington:
Also check out other
Sports events in Clay City,
Parties in Clay City.
