The roots of motorcycling - the quest for speed at Bonneville
Maverick - Sep 19, 2007

The experience of the International Motorcycle Speed Trials is something like a Sunday afternoon community picnic organized around motorcycle events for all ages, all varieties and sizes of motorcycles, all levels of experience and a plethora of event categories. Two differences; the party continues for five days and vigilance for perfect salt conditions. 

 

For the 2007 Speed Trials, there were 351 registered participants, up from 160 in 2006, and as many as 50 new records according to Delvene Manning, Event Manager.  While record runs were made in 2007, the World’s Fastest Motorcycle record was unchallenged and remains at 350.884 held by the BUB “7” Streamliner.

 

Participants are motivated by a desire to be the fastest or to be a member of a fraternity of the fastest. For some, speed is a hobby, while for others achieving speed records is a career.  The drive to have their names etched in the record books, to go faster than anyone before them keeps riders, owners, and enthusiasts coming back for more.

 

At the apex of the field stands Denis Manning, designer and builder of six of the eleven fastest motorcycles in history (including the current World’s Fastest Motorcycle, the BUB “7” Streamliner), member of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, Owner/President of BUB Enterprises and founder of The International Motorcycle Speed Trials.

 

Riders (or pilots) are professionals, like Chris Carr (BUB “7” Streamliner) and Rocky Robinson (Ack Attack) and amateurs like the son-in-law recruited to take a run at the 100 mph mark on a stock 1952 Harley-Davidson, in return for bragging rights. Why? To get a world record!”

 

The International Motorcycle Speed Trials in 2007, were influenced by salt conditions described by Delvene as, “fluffy like a fresh snow,” serving notice that no matter how much power or speed, nature has the final say.

 

The Ack Attack Team may serve as primary witness to this fact. The Ack team ran out at just over 299 mph. On the return pass, Robinson was nearing the timed mile at 300 plus miles per hour when the rear end of the machine started to fishtail.  Robinson corrected, but the streamliner flipped and rolled. Robinson walked away unhurt, but described the conditions as “mushy” and “wet” and responsible for the challenges he was unable to overcome.

 

Damage to the shell of the Ack Attack postponed the chase for the record for this year.  However, all was not lost for the Ack Attack Team as they won the award for the “Top Time of the Meet” at 299.772 mph.

 

Denis Manning described the 2007 version of the International Motorcycle Speed Trials as a success and “thrilled to death” to create and host and motorcycle event that stands on its own. 

 

While the BUB “7” Streamliner did not run for the record, the BUB Team did “warm it up,” stated Manning, and continued the process of refining technical aspects of the bike. Manning believes the BUB “7” Streamliner is “capable of going over 400 mph” when the need to capture the record is the challenge and “conditions are perfect.”

 

Planning has begun for the 2008 International Motorcycle Speed Trials with anticipated improvements to track conditions. “A third course is a possibility, along with more sponsors and improvements in managing time trial logistics,” according to Manning.

 

“Land speed racing is a unique sport, held in a landscape so alien that there are only a handful of places on the planet that are able to provide the conditions needed to attempt these types of records.”   BUB Racing, Inc.

 

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