|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
Bonneville Land Speed Record Update #11
Well the fat lady has sung! We had the battle of battles and beauty won over age this year. We did everything imaginable to find out where we had lost at least 10% of our power from the day we set the record and since the second day we were certain it was our o2 sensors that control fuel to the motor. If we had had access to the motor control system we could have fixed it. We never got the software to operate the system. We ordered two new o2 sensors and were sent the wrong ones. That left us in a position to rule out every other possibility, which we did.
Today was the last day and for the past four days we couldn't run past 188 mph no matter what we did. So we decided that on our last run today (we were the last bike to run this year) we disconnected the o2 sensors not knowing what that would do. We couldn't do it before this so this was our last resort. Rosey turned a 191.725 and we were qualified to do the return run which we were certain would give us the record. Rosey took off strong and would have had the record, but like me, he got into a high-speed wobble and had to back off to avoid a crash. Game over! We lost the record by 1.2 mph.
I have no regrets and the team did an insane level of work to try and find the problem. But as I have seen so many times in my life, you can put forth an effort of 100% and others will compromise everything you have done with something less than 100%. Not much fun, but at the same time a major learning experience.
Next year it won't happen again!
Leslie Porterfield did a great job and I applaud them. After the close of racing their entire team paid us a visit to compliment us. We now have a great rivalry established between MV and Honda and I'm told Suzuki will join the fun next year as well. But we will be the fastest next year and that's all there is to it!
Here is the 4th video installment I'm certain you will enjoy.
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1774192831&channel=1544608627&lineup=-1
We may have finished second, but the worldwide press we have generated is pretty amazing. I'm sure the battle next year will capture even more interest as more and more people discover the battle over the coming year.
And the insanity doesn't end. We're on our way home tonight and have stopped in Rawlins, Wyoming so we can replace the alternator in our truck. Just great fun!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
