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History in the Making

By Cori McMillen

Built in 1956, Indiana’s first drag strip, Bunker Hill Dragstrip is known for its history. If you talk to racers that call Bunker Hill Dragstrip home, you will hear all kinds of stories, some that go back decades. Ironically it’s many of those stories racers tell from the past that are shaping the history we are making today.

Back in the 1960’s Jerry Engel, a Bunker Hill, IN resident, raced a Dodge at Bunker Hill Dragstrip. His son Brett Engel, who now races motorcycles at Bunker Hill, reflects on those days that his dad raced. He recalls riding his bike to Bunker Hill as a kid. “I used to ride my bicycle there and Jim Hullinger (the track owner) would chase me off.” He also reminisces about growing up a few miles from the track. He loved being able to listen to the cars racing on Saturday nights from his home.

Though he grew up around the track, and his dad was a racer, it wasn’t until the 80’s that Brett started racing. Brett was working at a shop in Peru for Mike Confer, who at the time was a racer at Bunker Hill Dragstrip. Hearing Mike talk about racing, gave Brett the urge to try it out. .

In 1986, with an interest in bikes over cars, Brett decided to test the waters in motorcycle racing at Bunker Hill. It didn’t take long for him to realize he was destined to be a drag racer. In 1987, his first full season racing, Brett not only received the Most Improved Driver award, but he also won a Bunker Hill Track Championship. This first season would set the pace of years of successful racing ahead.

After winning 8 Wallys, national events with Prostar, AMA Dragbike, and NHDRO, four Bunker Hill track championships, an OSR championship and multiple races, the veteran motorcycle racer was looking for a bigger challenge.

Brett, who has been a motorcycle technician for 35 years and currently works at Brandt’s Harley Davidson, has been racing a Harley since 2015. Last June, with the support of his wife, Tara who he says doesn’t complain when he spends money on parts and new bikes, decided to add a faster bike to his racing operation and purchased a 06 Kawasaki zx14. His intentions were never to replace the Harley with the new bike, but to race the new bike in addition to his Harley in all the races that he entered.

Running two bikes in one class is something that can’t be done alone. Brett’s dad Jerry who over the years has transitioned from a Bunker Hill racer to Brett’s pit crew, has played a vital role in successfully racing both bikes. Brett says, “I couldn’t have done it without him.” He also explains that the other key is “Practice, practice, practice, and clutch hand is very important.” Brett also mentioned that he couldn’t do this without his gorgeous wife’s love and support.

If you have ever wondered if winning gets old, according to Brett “every win feels like the first time.”, This mentality is why many of his peers describe him humble. He never lets the accolades go to his head.

With 2 bikes entered at each event in 2022, Brett had more opportunities to be successful, however, I don’t think he ever could have imagined how he would end his season. Not only was he able to make it to the winner's circle with each bike and at times with both bikes, but he did something that not many will ever be able to say they did. Out of 50 plus racers who competed in the Moville Motorcycle Series at Bunker Hill Dragstrip in 2022, Brett Engel ended up not just number two in points racing his Harley, but he was crowned the Moville Series Champion racing his new Kawasaki. All those years ago, listening to the race cars go down the track from his childhood home, he probably had no clue that one day he would be making history at that same track.

We can’t help but think about what is next for the champion. I am sure we will see Brett racing motorcycles for many years to come. But, with 2 daughters and seven grandchildren, we can’t help but wonder if Brett’s story that we are telling today is shaping the history that one of them will make in the future

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