Read More

HOW FAST CA
Speed Is King At Bonneville Salt Flats
Story by Heather Wilson Photos by Scooter Grubb
L
imits are made to be broken. Nowhere is this philosophy
more purely on display than at the AMA Land Speed Grand
Championship. Here, on the Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah,
riders line up on this indescribably flat surface, point their front
wheels toward the horizon, twist the throttle and try to go faster
than anyone else has ever gone.
This year, some of the fastest motorcyclists in the world will
gather at the historic location near Wendover, Utah, Aug. 29
through Sept. 3. Competitors will attempt to clinch AMA National
No. 1 plates and set Fédération Internationale de Motocylisme
CLASS DESIGNATIONS
world records aboard machines with engines ranging in size
from 50cc to 3,000cc.
This event, also known as the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed
Trials, is the premier motorcycle land-speed racing event in
the world. Despite this pedigree, it’s not just about the world’s
fastest. Yes, there will be riders in fully custom-streamlined
motorcycles that look more like wheeled rocket ships than
something you can buy at your local dealership. But there also
will be many AMA members, competing to set all-time speed
marks in a range of classes—members just like you.
pushrod engine.
For example, the top time for the 2014
As with other disciplines of racing,
This year marks AMA FIM Chief
event was set by Eva Hakansson in an
there are various class designations. Land
Technical Steward Curtis Smith’s ninth
electric streamlined sidecar.
speed racing can get quite technical, as
time at the event. He says he fields a lot
Her run down was an elapsed time
there are eight different frame designations
of questions all year about what class a
of 14.885 seconds, which equates to
and 24 engine classifications. Do the
racer’s machine should run. Look them
241.852 mph over the course of a mile.
math, and it’s clear that there are a huge
up at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/
Her return run was 15.024 seconds, which
number of possibilities.
Racing/Rules.
is 239.6 mph.
Frame designations include: production,
The two speeds are averaged to
modified, modified partial streamlining,
SETTING RECORDS
produce one result: (241.852 + 239.6) / 2
special construction, special construction
To attempt to set a record, competitors
= 240.726 mph. So, Hakansson’s record
partial streamlining, streamliner, sidecar
will run a course (see sidebar for course
speed was 240.726 mph through the
and sidecar streamliner. So what do all
descriptions) twice: once down and once
measured mile.
these frame classifications mean?
back. The course is marked by flags every
During her run, of course, it was
Each frame classification must
quarter mile and mile markers at every
possible that she actually reached speeds
meet certain regulations, per the AMA
mile. When you reach three green flags,
greater than her average but those do not
rulebook. Production is pretty simple to
you have entered the measured mile,
count toward the official recorded speed.
explain: it’s a motorcycle “produced by
which is the timed section in the middle
a recognized manufacturer and shall not
of every course. However, the full course
COURSE CONDITIONS
be modified from original equipment.”
length may be from 3 to 8 miles from start
Not only is having a race-ready machine
Modified bikes must retain the original
to finish.
a huge factor in attempting to set a record,
frame, but may have some upgrades to
The competitor’s average speed will be
the course condition also plays a large role
increase efficiency. Special construction
recorded.
in the time/speed.
is a purpose-built motorcycle,
“Good conditions are dry and
with several changes from the
hard-packed, with moisture early
original equipment classification.
in the season,” Smith says.
COURSE TYPES
Streamliners are motorcycles
He explains that in the winter,
with a structure built around them
the salt flats become a lake.
Note that course lengths are subject to change.
to protect a rider’s entire body,
When it becomes summer, the
• Basic course: 3-mile total run (1 mile
should loss of control occur.
lake dries out and the salt returns
approach, 1 mile timed, and 1 mile shut down)
As far as engine classifications
to the surface.
• Intermediate course: 5-mile total run (2 mile
go, most are categorized by
“This year, we’ve had a lot
approach, 1 mile timed, and 2 mile shut down)
the type of fuel used—straight
of issues in regard to course
gasoline purchased from the
conditions,” says Delvene
• Long course: 8-mile total run (up to 3.5 mile
event provider or fuel brought
Manning, the event manager and
approach, 1 mile timed and up to 3.5 mile
by the competitor (methanol,
recipient of the 2015 AMA Bessie
shut down)
ethanol, nitrous oxide, diesel
Stringfield Award (see sidebar).
and more)—or whether it has a
“Last year was very, very wet. We
32
AmericanMotorcyclist.com
AN YOU RIDE?
were lucky to ride on anything. This year,
there is a layer of mud on top of the salt.
We are keeping an eye on that.”
She says the race surface is volatile.
“In the years I’ve been running the
event, I’ve never seen the same race
surface consistency,” Manning says.
Many people may not realize that the
promoter actually prepares a course.
They don’t just show up and stage the
competitors on the natural surface.
“We ‘drag’ the course with a skid
[I-beams welded together] that we pull
behind trucks,” Manning says. “It just
skims off the very top surface and flattens
and compresses the salt. We then use the
salt that is skimmed off to fill in pot holes
or depressions in the course.”
A PASSION FOR SPEED
Competitors sometimes spend an entire
year, or even years, to get their machines
prepped for one single run. If course
conditions aren’t ideal, it can severely
hinder the racers’ pace.
The 2014 AMA Female Athlete of the
Year, Erin Hunter-Sills, knows that speed
is king at the event. She’s competed in the
BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS
Delvene Manning Makes Land Speed Racing Assessible
Delvene Manning, the promoter of the AMA Land Speed
Grand Championship, has been formally recognized by the
AMA with the 2015 AMA Bessie Stringfield Award for her
efforts to expand the sport to new motorcycling markets.
Created in 2000, the AMA Bessie Stringfield Award is
named in memory of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame member
Bessie Stringfield. It is presented annually to an individual
who has been instrumental in bringing emerging markets into
the world of motorcycling.
Why did Manning get the award for 2015?
* She has dedicated her life to promoting land-speed
racing, which does not differentiate between male and female
competitors.
* She has fostered an environment that welcomes both
women and men, many of whom have never competed before,
to the challenge of racing for a national record.
AMA Land Speed Grand Championship
for 12 years, attempting 15 class records
and currently holds 12 national and world
land speed titles.
“I grew up in a family with a passion for
speed, and I can’t imagine not competing
in it now.” Hunter-Sills says. “It’s great
when you find an outlet for your passion.”
Hunter-Sills says nothing compares to
the surface of the salt.
“Traction is a critical aspect of what
we do,” she says. “Build your way up in
speed. Practice, gain confidence, and
learn the capabilities of your bike.”
“It is an honor to be recognized with
the AMA Bessie Stringfield award and
follow in the footsteps of a pioneer
of motorcycling, such as Bessie
Stringfield,” Manning said when she
was notified of the award. “Revitalizing
motorcycle land-speed racing on the
hallowed grounds of the Bonneville
Salt Flats, catering to the specific
needs of motorcycling—along with
increasing the prestige of land-speed
national records—continue to be our
primary goals.
“The AMA has been fundamental in their support, and
we have grown in participants and increased international
exposure. In addition, we strive to provide our participants
with the best opportunity to set records, to compete against
their peers of all ages, genders and range of motorcycles, and
to race against history.”
September 2015
33
‘SALT FEVER’
Hunter-Sills says there are a lot of ways
to participate.
“There’s a place for people who
are highly mechanical or interested in
aerodynamics, but don’t want to ride,”
she says. “Of course, if you’re a new rider
at the salt flats, there’s the ‘Run Watcha
Brung’ class.”
She said what she has found to be
successful is having a really good team.
“I’m not mechanical, but I know enough
to tell a race technician how it feels so
we can make adjustments,” Hunter-Sills
says. “It’s a combination of the people that
round out the skills that I bring.”
Above all, she says, riders compete
against everyone who preceded them.
“You have to beat history, not just the
person next to you,” she says.
Manning says she really enjoys
organizing the event and handling the
logistics so racers can get out there and
do what they do best.
“It’s really important to be prepared and
talk to fellow racers that have been there,”
Manning says. “It is very different. There’s
a lack of traction when it comes to the
salt, and that’s why records are so hard
to get.”
Manning has found that many
spectators and volunteers eventually turn
into racers at Bonneville.
“You’re almost guaranteed to get what
we call ‘salt fever,’” Manning says.
Pre-entry is closed for 2015, but entries
will be taken onsite at the event. More
information, a detailed schedule, rules,
classes and existing records are available
at www.BonnevilleSpeedTrials.com.
34
AmericanMotorcyclist.com