Hi everyone.
Like many on this list I too have living hero's whose efforts are well
respected by me. They include Al Teague, Don Vesco, Dave Campos and many
more. Over here in the UK as list members will know we do not
differentiate classes by body styles but I too respect those who can
engineer a doorslammer that can travel at 300 mph or more.
Lets get really dirty on one way passes now and also clarify what Richard
Brown achieved on his private time at Bonneville last year.
The first person to make great claims of a one way pass was the much
respected late Mickey Thompson whose single 406.60 mph in 1960 gets
repeated in many listings of the outright World record.
A number of current Bonneville teams decorate their cars or web sites with
the speed of a fastest run or even the speed in the 132 ft exit trap.
Team Maximum Impulse.
Richard Brown was making his attempt bid under full FIM supervision and
needed to complete two runs in 2 hours under the International rules. The
FIM are able to confirm Richards fasest run of 332.877 mph but this is NOT
an FIM World Record.
At open meetings at Bonneville thrust power is not welcomed, (we don't
complain about that - its your back yard and we were just visiting), so
Team Maximum Impulse could not enter any of the 'normal' events such as
Speed Week. However using the tried and trusted BNI/SCTA methods of
qualifying one day and back up the next (after a night in impound) then
Richard Brown's achievements would be acknowledged by most in this sport if
he wasn't a rocket scientist.
On 14th September he averaged 327.998 mph for the kilo on an open record
(about 5 mph above tha Campos best in the wheeldriven class). On the 15th
September the average was even quicker at the 332.877 mph speed for the
Kilo (330.639 mph mile). BIG IF... if you average these two speeds as you
would if the wheels had been driven and the vehicle had run at say Speed
Week, then Richard went an average of 330.437 mph. The fastest two wheeler
ever. But the FIM cannot accept two runs on two days so the team can only
speak about the speed on one run in any official statement.
When we find the best place with five miles of total length to run the team
will reform to get an 'official' FIM record (2 runs in 2 hours) and with
billet wheels it could be closer to 400 mph than 300 mph!
Team Maximum Impulse gained greatly from the support of Denis Manning and
Don Vesco. If Dave Campos and the Easyrider team goes quicker still then I
for one would like to see it happen. The sport thrives on healthy
competition even if riders are not in the same vehicle class.
Now for the obvious comment on traction control - don't put power through
the wheels go to pure thrust. (Now that was a joke !!)
Enjoy the forthcoming season on the dirt, salt and concrete over in the
USA.
Malcolm Pittwood.
Team Maximum Impulse.
Derby, England.
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