Bonneville Report: Volume I
After 660 miles and 12 hours on the road from Metric Thunder, we finally arrived on the hallowed grounds of the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah on Labor Day, September 3rd.
The long journey was more than worth the speeding ticket I earned along the way!
For the benefit of those who have not made the trip, be prepared for anything and everything. Upon
approaching the pit area, about 8-10 miles out from where the pavement ends and the salt begins, you can clearly imagine you are arriving at the north pole.
The Pit Area
Metric Thunder was on the scene to host Bikernet TV for rider interviews.
Thunder Bob interviews Keith Ball of Bikernet/5-Ball Racing with world record holder Valerie Thompson.
Thunder Bob interviews Valerie Thompson, professional drag bike racer & 2 time world record holder.
Here’s the World’s Fastest Panhead that Valerie road in the 5-Ball pit area with Keith “Bandit” Ball.
Last year the 5-Ball team set a world record with their “Salt Shaker,” this year it was the “Assalt Weapan”
Here is the official speed record Valerie set while riding the Assalt Weapan.
Three women, three land speed world record holders. From left to right: Laura Klock - fastest bagger, Valerie Thompson - fastest Panhead and kneeling beside her Buell is Laura’s 16 year old daughter who earned the record for being the fastest in her class.
You get to see a bit of everything in Bonneville, including this “V-Triple”
Old Skool…
Here’s a walk down memory lane…
Very nice looking bagger lining up on the “Run What You Brung” track.
Also on the RWYB track was this 50cc Aprilia owned by Eric Manning, son of Denis “BUB” Manning.
Speaking of 50cc’s…here’s a 50cc streamliner shooting for an international record at 135MPH+.
The Ack Attack team held the Absolute Land Speed Record briefly in 2006 until the BUB Streamliner claimed it back during the same week. This year the Ack crashed on the first day of racing, (check out all the tape near the front end), and did not run again. As a result, BUB chose not to run their “Number 7″ due to track conditions and that their 350MPH+ was safe for another year.
J & P Cycles brought their streamliner to the salt for the first time this year. It turned out to be a learning experience as they ran into several technical/engine related problems that kept them out of the competition.
A word to the wise…be careful where you stand while a streamliner engine is firing up.
Kuryakyn also brought a streamliner to Bonneville for the first time.
The team also had some challenges dialing in the engine and wasn’t able to compete. They plan on returning in 2008 to tear up the salt.
Getting ready to set an international speed record on this 1947 Triumph, my buddie Gerald Jessup!
It may not be the world’s fastest, but this sure is a nice Indian!
A stretched BMW.
Holy moley! One of the few MV Augusta’s to show up on the salt.
If you are interested in purchasing one of these cool Confederate Motorcycle Co babies, it’ll set you back $72,000 and there is a 2 month waiting list.
You’re looking at the world’s fastest quad, a CBR1100. Too many wheels to qualify in Bonneville!
This is one of my favorite stories of the entire week. It’s a Swiss team effort that will be one of our many video interviews to be up on the site in a couple of weeks. Notice the dumb bell weight on the rear axle. They specifically designed and fitted one for each side of the bike to create better traction between the rear tire and the salt. However, they forgot to actually bring it with them to Bonneville! When they realized they didn’t have it, they spent $1,000USD to have it sent via DHL to Bonneville. After hitting 143mph in third gear, Marcus their rider, was unable to shift into fourth gear because the dumb bell was in the way. As you can see from the photo above, they managed to machine off a section of the weight to allow for the shifter to work properly!
Here is a closer look at that machined dumb bell. You can also catch a glimpse of the home made chain guard they made out of the top of a fence found in a local dumpster!
Riding a tricked out Hayabusa is Leslie, owner of High Five Cycles in Dallas. During our interview, she indicated that 200mph was her goal. She did have a pass at 194mph. Apparently Leslie took a spill and walked away with seven broken ribs and a punctured lung (no flying home). We understand she has a few other bumps and bruises otherwise in great condition and spirits.
Jason Britton, of Speed TV, was on hand to interview Leslie for an upcoming show.
Taking time off from interviews and stunt riding, Jason hopped into this 750GSXR for a test drive.
Biker build-off winner and AMD International champ Roger Goldhammer built one for the road.
Other than our own T-Bike 2, this was the only Vulcan 2000cc bike we saw in Bonneville.
Although these “Trailer Queens” have over 22,000 miles on ‘em, the salt was too much to risk the paint.
If you owned a pressure washer in West Wendover, Nevada last week…you probably made some good money!
Although he was tough to find earlier in the week, we finally caught up with Denis “BUB” Manning toward the end of the last day of racing. He did a great job of summing up the week for our Bikernet Television and Thunder TV interview.
Congratulations to all of the builders, riders and volunteers who made Bonneville 2007 an event to remember. A very special thanks to Keith Ball and Nyla for their hospitality and congratulations on earning a land speed record for the second consecutive year. Be sure to check back often as we are constantly adding more pics and stories. All of the video interviews will be up shortly, so be on the lookout for those too. Cheers, MTB
