Leslie Porterfield set a new...
Leslie Porterfield set a new record in the 1000cc P-P class at 197 MPH on her Honda CBR1000RR.
It’s been said that every gearhead should add Bonneville Speed Week to their bucket list. Much like the Isle of Man TT and the Nürburgring, Speed Week at the Bonneville Salt Flats is totally unique.
Just outside the dusty old town of Wendover, Utah, lies an expansive stretch of salt that stretches for nearly 10 miles. This vast real estate is actually the dried-up remains of a giant salt lake. And for one week every year, speed junkies from all over the world call it home. This test of man, machine and straight-line speed has forged on for the better part of a century.
The salt is slippery enough...
The salt is slippery enough already, but Bonneville veteran Cathy Butler didn’t seem to mind as she ran a slick tire on her Honda CBR1000RR.
The 2011 event marked the 63rd year (unofficially it started in the early 1900s) of this momentous event and the two-wheeled action was as hot as ever with 198 motorcycle entries. From 50cc putt-putts and sportbikes to dedicated streamliners; if it has two wheels, a motor and the owner loves to go fast, it’s usually found on the salt.
This year saw no shortage of records either, as 69 new motorcycle records were logged in the books. But don’t think nabbing a record is an easy task because outright speed is important, but so is surviving the multi-mile high-speed run without blowing a motor. Since your speed is clocked in the latter parts of the track, your motor needs to survive WFO for a long time. In fact, you have over 4 miles of room to get up to speed, and you’ll need it since the salt is slippery enough to cause wheel spin on a powerful bike at speeds well over 200 MPH.
Ever wonder what the luxurious...
Ever wonder what the luxurious Honda Gold Wing looks like without its clothes on?
Vintage iron is the name of...
Vintage iron is the name of the game at Bonneville and this Triumph has been running on the salt longer than many of us have been alive. It’s pretty fast as well and put up a record-setting pass of 117 MPH that crushed the old 108 MPH record.
Wally Kohler set a record...
Wally Kohler set a record of 156 MPH on his 1650cc self made sidecar based on a 1352cc Kawasaki engine. What have you built in your garage lately?
You’ll see just about everything...
You’ll see just about everything running flat-out on the salt, and Darold Cummings set a new record of 120 MPH on his 250cc Honda-powered sidecar. How’d you like to be riding monkey on that pass?
Although admittedly fast for...
Although admittedly fast for a Harley, Jon C. Lewis needed a 2000cc motor and a turbo to huff his way to 173 MPH.
This 175cc Motobecane piloted...
This 175cc Motobecane piloted by Saline Leoue pulled a neck snapping 51 MPH pass–it just goes to show you that Speed Week is all about run what you brung.
Forget watching the boob-tube...
Forget watching the boob-tube when you’re retired. George Nachtsheim loaded up his trusty Triumph and hit the salt to the tune of 107 MPH. Yee-haw!
The signature orange mile...
The signature orange mile marker “0” signifies ground zero for all four of the SCTA courses at Speed Week. From there it’s a matter of horsepower, aerodynamics, gearing and bravery.
If you’ve yet to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the Salt Flats offset by the thunderous roar of vehicles traveling at over 400 MPH, do yourself a favor, make it a point to visit Speed Week. It’s truly an unforgettable experience. SSB