Speed Week cancelled

Last year's rain!

The patient Triumph

Says a lot

Friends are never rained out

Dad said he did a few speed runs down the 93 road, what a nice spot

Bad news today, really feel for Dad and his crew.

It's hard to read this when Dad put some much effort, time and money into this.  However I did read this story of another competitor and it seems to put things into a bit of perspective.  A lot of people would have put a lot of effort into racing this week and they've all been left short.  And this is not the first washout.

Re the story link above, a friend of Danny's left a message for him, which is quite a universal thought:

"Any study of the history of land speed racing reveals it is an endeavor fraught with difficulties and frustrating disappointment, it certainly won't be easy, and there may be real moments of drama. But I, like a whole lot of people, believe in...his dream. And it's become our dream, too. When you shake his hand, you can know you're not wasting your time. He is a true champion ... Now go get what you came for."

You too, Dad.

Live stream

I noticed the Salt Flats website has a live stream feature starting 9 August.  You can try it here: LIVE STREAM

Welcome to the US of A, 5SE

and notice the latest RV acquisition, very nice!  I like what looks to be a tentative peek from Dad in the top photo.  I am assuming everything looked alright, and not like Burt's when it came off the ship.

Registration list

See it, see it?!

Departure day!

The flight to America tonight.  I'm so excited, and proud of you Dad. Go beat those Belgians and put Falkirk in ink.

Some Burt Munro-isms to mark the day:

"You live more in five minutes on a bike like this going flat out than some people live in a lifetime."

"If you don't go when you want to go, when you do go, you'll find you've gone. "

Warren: "These brakes, they're completely inadequate." 
Burt Munro: "I'm planning on going, not stopping."

Antarctic Angel: "Good luck, mate. Show 'em Kiwis can fly too, eh?"

We love you.
xx

THE Racing Suit

A winner through and through.

Boxed up and ready to ship

Dad says the bike ships on the 15th of June.  I imagine the guy Dad bought this bike from all those years ago would be rather surprised to hear this 75 year old bike is to race on the Bonneville Salt Flats this year.

Burt's Win

I think this photo is of Burt holding the winnings of that race.  I recall this scene featured in The Fastest Indian.  Every one chipped in and surprised him.

Email from Woody to Dad: 7 May 2014

I was looking for some MC pix and ran across the ***old
*Triumph of my  friend Davy Jones. Same thing only
different! :-D

The double ran this weekend at a local event and will be at
Bonneville  this year!

See ya there!

Woody

Testing the speed gauge gadget

Email: 6 March from Dad

Just been talking to Gene and he asked if Woody had emailed me and told he had and we are most interested in catching up with him and to hear any tales of him and Burt, Woody had told Gene his biggest problem was keeping Burt away from his wife.

Email from Woody, 1st March 2014

G'day Neil!

Looking forward to meeting you and Russell at Bonneville this August. A  great bunch of people go there!
My first trip was 1970 with some motorcycle buddies and I asked who the  old coot was with the Indian streamliner. Now I am one of the old coots hanging around the salt! Life will do that to you!

The picture is of my friend Jerry who was helping Burt adjust the valve  clearances on his beast. I told Jerry I
hate him now - it should have  been ME adjusting those tappets - not him!

I saved up for 5 years and ran my 1969 CB-750 Honda in 1975! Then five  more years to pay off the credit cards! I have been going every year  since 2007 lately. Last year with that crazy Gene guy! That's me pointing!

In the 70's I worked in a bike shop in Florida with an old Triumph works  guy (Davy Jones) that I think had that same SE 500cc and an earlier  350cc Rudge if memory serves me right! I probably have some pixs packed  away somewhere!

www.designdreams.biz is my webpage.

Woody

Email from Neil to Connie & Gene, 23 Feb

Hi Connie and Gene 

I started a reply email last night but my email system went hay wire and not sure if you received it or not so am writing again. Am looking forward to meeting up with Woody, told Russell about Woody and he also is very keen to meet him to hear oftales about him and Bert. Now the bike is a  flat head as you say over there, it is1939 Triumph 5SE  500cc, I have owned it for about 30 years and it has been sitting in the shed for the last 20 years. am in the process of fiting new spokes,rims, tires and had the mag overhauled.then start on the rest of it. Have made up a hydaulic dyno out of a power steering pump so I can run it under load in the shed and have purchased a Veypor digital read out for engine RPM, speed ect I have to have it ready for shipping by the end of June, only 4 months, so with pickups to change over , a new cottage to finish and the bike I am flat out. 

yeh se you on the salt neil

Email between Neil & Woody, 24th Feb 2014

I told our friend in USA Gene of the salt flats who we stay with and they have stayed here, briefly about the triumph 5SE the other day and the salt flats but didnt think he would be to excited about me breaking 64 mph when he is trying to do 245 mph but here is a piece from his email I have received last nite…

Now, for another important thing:  This motorcycle you're going to race, you said it was a side valve.  Does that mean it's a flathead?  If so, how old is it?  I'm giving your e-mail address to Dave Woodruff (Woody).  He is an old motorcycle Bonneville racer and raced when Burt Munro was there.  He is also the aerodynamic helper that works with us a lot on XsStress for aerodynamic improvements.  His nickname is Aero-Woody.  He may e-mail you regarding your bike, and he will be in Bonneville this year.  

It's only six months away and counting!  See ya on the salt:) 

Gene