Tom and List
Eric Teboul into the fives was the target 20 years ago of the first
european rocket drag motorcyclist - Henk Vink.
The design of this bike suggests that it might be the late Henk Vink (a
dutchman drag bike racer) rocket bike, rebuilt for the 21st century. In
1979 to 1980 Henk built and then debuted his bike with 1200 lb thrust motor
- Hydrogen peroxide monopropellant 'engine' - in a custom frame with
Kawasaki parts that ran 9.3 at 130 mph in shakedown tests. The rocket
nozzles were on each side of the rear wheel. Target was then to run in the
fives - did reach into the sixes at 200 mph terminal speeds. Henk worked
on this project with Sammy Miller (Vanishing Point rocket funny car driver,
who died in a non racing accident last year) and both enjoyed the adulation
of UK crowds whenever they ran.
The rocket bike is similar to a few that you had in the USA, when insurance
companies accepted peroxide rocket cars and bikes as entertainment acts
during NHRA events.
As the figures listed for the run show it was a click off after 1000feet or
so to 'coast' through the top end lights.
Richard Brown holds the highest rocket bike speeds attained in the UK (in
his streamliner) having averaged 241.15 mph over a flying start 1/4 mile
(sub four seconds!) with a peak of 256 mph) during his British land speed
record attempts.
Malcolm Pittwood, Derby, England
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