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Ralph Hudson is the new motorcycle world land-speed record holder. In July 2018, he set a new world record of 297.970 mph in a two-way average on the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia. That too on 2003 Suzuki GSX-R100 that he developed himself after buying it from Craigslist.
His are the fastest back-to-back runs sitting on a motorcycle. Also, he became the first person to break the 300-mph mark in am FIM sanctioned meet. He set a record of 304.969 mph in one run. The man that we talking about here, Ralph Hudson, is 67 years old.
He has been to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah as well attempting speed runs and setting records. But not without hiccups. In 2013, his machine started weaving at 200 mph. he was pitched off at 218 mph, flew, slid and tumbled for a mile before coming to a stop. Although he did get up on his own afterwards, a shoulder injury did hospitalize him for a while. But these hiccups did not deter this man, rather, the crash only enhanced his interest in the aerodynamics, traction, and handling necessary to keep advancing in speed.
So, in July 2018, Hudson travelled to Bolivia with an aim of going past 300-mph two way. He nearly got it as he recorded a 297 mph average. But he said that this year’s wet salt and low grip made it difficult to control the bike. Hudson referred to the experience ‘Like handling a rodeo bull’. At one point, the wind blew him off and his bike destroyed a mile marker. Although, 297 mph is 1% shy of Hudson’s 300 mph goal, but it is 15 mph shy of his what his goal would be eventually. In 2011, a gentleman named Bill Warner made a single pass at Loring Air Force Base in Maine at 311 mph. Although he achieved that speed for 132 feet, once, and not the back-to-back flying miles required for a world record, it still is the stimulus for Hudson wanting to average 312 mph. And that, he says, will be enough.
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If we are talking about motorcycle land-speed records, it is impossible not to mention the name of Burt Munro. Herbert James "Burt" Munro was a New Zealand motorcycle racer. He shot to fame by setting an under-1000 cc world record at Bonneville on 26th of August 1967. He was 68 at the time and was riding a 47-year old machine. The machine was a 1920 Indian Scout Streamliner that he heavily modified and worked on for 20 years. He set his first record in 1938 and later, seven more. The World’s fastest Indian, the 2005 movie starring Sir Anthony Hopkins was based on Munro.
His are the fastest back-to-back runs sitting on a motorcycle. Also, he became the first person to break the 300-mph mark in am FIM sanctioned meet. He set a record of 304.969 mph in one run. The man that we talking about here, Ralph Hudson, is 67 years old.
He has been to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah as well attempting speed runs and setting records. But not without hiccups. In 2013, his machine started weaving at 200 mph. he was pitched off at 218 mph, flew, slid and tumbled for a mile before coming to a stop. Although he did get up on his own afterwards, a shoulder injury did hospitalize him for a while. But these hiccups did not deter this man, rather, the crash only enhanced his interest in the aerodynamics, traction, and handling necessary to keep advancing in speed.
So, in July 2018, Hudson travelled to Bolivia with an aim of going past 300-mph two way. He nearly got it as he recorded a 297 mph average. But he said that this year’s wet salt and low grip made it difficult to control the bike. Hudson referred to the experience ‘Like handling a rodeo bull’. At one point, the wind blew him off and his bike destroyed a mile marker. Although, 297 mph is 1% shy of Hudson’s 300 mph goal, but it is 15 mph shy of his what his goal would be eventually. In 2011, a gentleman named Bill Warner made a single pass at Loring Air Force Base in Maine at 311 mph. Although he achieved that speed for 132 feet, once, and not the back-to-back flying miles required for a world record, it still is the stimulus for Hudson wanting to average 312 mph. And that, he says, will be enough.
Source
If we are talking about motorcycle land-speed records, it is impossible not to mention the name of Burt Munro. Herbert James "Burt" Munro was a New Zealand motorcycle racer. He shot to fame by setting an under-1000 cc world record at Bonneville on 26th of August 1967. He was 68 at the time and was riding a 47-year old machine. The machine was a 1920 Indian Scout Streamliner that he heavily modified and worked on for 20 years. He set his first record in 1938 and later, seven more. The World’s fastest Indian, the 2005 movie starring Sir Anthony Hopkins was based on Munro.
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