N5125XWhiting Cleon GLASAIR SH-2

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane began to drift left of the runway centerline. He applied right rudder, but did not have enough rudder authority to correct the airplane’s direction. The airplane drifted off the left side of the runway and struck an embankment resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot also reported that, if he had let the tail lift off the ground more gradually, he likely would have had enough rudder authority to maintain centerline. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.