Land-Speed Racer Project

THE VEHICLE

The Sang-Froid Riding Club is working towards setting a world land-speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats, during Speed Week 2006. We'll be campaigning a fully streamlined motorcycle powered by a naturally-aspirated 160cc Honda engine.

The machine was originally designed and constructed by a team of Boeing engineers set on raising the 50cc land-speed record (the record set in 1956 remains over 120 mph). Now loaned to the SFRC, we're modifying the vehicle's rear subframe and equipping it with a Honda CB/CL 160cc powerplant. We are taking three engines to the salt this August - two blueprinted stock motors plus a fully built mill equipped with a performance cam, oversized Mikunis, and ported cylinder head (among other goodies). Joe Pethoud at Vicious Cycle is overseeing the build of the high-performance motor, and we know Joe and his crew will deliver.


The vehicle's tubular steel frame has been tech-inspected and approved by the Southern California Timing Association, the sanctioning body of Speed Week. Bret Edwards from Glass From The Past is working with us on modification and fitment of the fiberglass bodywork, and Joe Signs is ready to make the racer look like a million bucks with paint and graphics.

The vehicle is over fifteen feet long, and the rider sits only several inches off the salt. Retractable skids keep the machine stable at low speeds, twin fire extinguishers are in place for safety, and a Deist parachute slows the machine at the end of the run.

We took delivery of the racer in pieces; that's why we don't have any nice shots of it online now. But keep your eyes peeled - we'll be updating this page regularly! As you can imagine, this project is an expensive proposition. If you're interested in helping out please drop us a line.

LAND-SPEED RACING AT BONNEVILLE

The Bonneville Salt Flats, located approximately 120 miles west of Salt Lake City, has been the home of land-speed racing since 1914. Every year, hundreds of speed enthusiasts gather on the salt to see just how fast their machines will go. Motorcycle legends such as Don Vesco, Cal Rayborn, and Burt Munroe all still hold records from their competition at Bonneville.

Contested classes range from 50cc to 3000cc, from box-stock cycles to supercharged streamliners. Bonneville's smooth, hard surface is ideal for land-speed record setting - it is one of the few places on the planet where the earth's curvature can be seen with the naked eye.