What happens when you mix a blistering salt flat, some incredibly brave riders, and a few two-wheeled rockets? The Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials! This year’s event was a showcase of human ingenuity and sheer horsepower, culminating in four new FIM Land Speed World Records. While the salt itself can be a bit of a diva—throwing temper tantrums with unpredictable weather and challenging traction—the spirit of the riders and teams makes it all worthwhile.
The Need for Speed: Breaking Down the Records
Four different riders carved their names into the record books. First up, we have Dale Zlock, a veteran of the salt, who broke his own record on a 2004 Zlock Racing LCC 600cc Suzuki SV. Zlock’s secret weapon? Nitrous oxide! He described hitting sixth gear and then hitting the “NOS” button for that extra surge of power, a feeling he found “pretty good.”
Then there’s the incredibly accomplished Liane Langlois, an HR Manager from Canada, who has been a regular at Bonneville since 2014. She set a world record on her 2012 JKR Powersports 2295cc Triumph Rocket III Roadster with a sidecar. Langlois’s candor is refreshing, admitting she found the run a bit “bumpy,” and was trying to “feather the throttle” for traction on her return run. She achieved a new FIM World Record of 136.331 mph.
And let’s not forget Lisa Cipolla, a librarian from Washington State who is now officially the “world’s fastest librarian.” She set not one but two records on her 2012 Zlock Racing LCC 600cc Kawasaki ZX6R. First, a partially streamlined record at 146.799 mph, then, after removing the bodywork, an unfaired record at 135.466 mph. She said the faired bike felt “like riding a bullet,” while the unfaired one was “much more like riding a motorcycle.”
The Competition: More Than Just a Race
The Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials are unique because the biggest competitor isn’t another team, but the salt itself. Racers compete not only against each other for bragging rights but also against the fickle weather and the relentless quest for perfection. This year, the weather proved a major hurdle, with intermittent rain and standing water forcing the closure of the longer International Track. This unfortunate twist prevented riders like Chris Rivas, on the mighty BUB Seven Streamliner, from even attempting the absolute world land speed record. Rivas remained philosophical, stating that safety comes first and the goal is 400 mph, even if it’s not today.
This focus on the machine and the environment over head-to-head racing sets land speed trials apart from other motorcycle sports like MotoGP, which is all about wheel-to-wheel duels. The “Run Whatcha Brung” class at Bonneville also highlights this, encouraging a broad spectrum of participants from weekend enthusiasts to professional teams.
Marketing and Market Analysis: The Unsung Heroes
While the riders get the glory, a whole ecosystem of sponsorship and marketing powers the event. The official Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials website offers various sponsorship packages, from “Very Important Racer” packages for participants to major corporate sponsorships. Companies like Triumph Motorcycles, which has a long and storied history at Bonneville, use their land speed record legacy as a powerful marketing tool to sell their “Bonneville” roadster. This kind of brand association is priceless, linking modern, commercially available bikes to the awe-inspiring feats on the salt flats.
The Verdict: Likes and Dislikes
Likes:
- Unique Spirit: The camaraderie and sense of community among the competitors, regardless of their racing class or budget, is widely celebrated.
- Technological Innovation: The event is a hotbed for technological development. From custom-built streamliners to electric motorcycles, it is a fascinating look at the future of two-wheeled performance.
- Inclusivity: The range of classes, from 50cc minibikes to 3000cc streamliners, welcomes everyone from amateurs to seasoned professionals.
Dislikes:
- The Salt: The biggest and most obvious dislike is the unpredictable nature of the salt flats. The weather can and does ruin record attempts, leading to frustration and wasted effort.
- The Cost: Land speed racing is a very expensive sport. From building the bike to the travel and lodging, it requires a significant financial commitment.
Ultimately, the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials are a spectacle of passion, perseverance, and high-speed innovation. It is an event where records are made, legends are born, and the human desire to go faster knows no bounds.
Sources:
- FIM Motorcycle Land Speed World Records Set At Bonneville
- Records Broken at Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials
- Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials – Wikipedia
- Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials Sponsorship
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