The 60th Annual Bonneville Speed Week Event (2008)
Who would have thought that a naturally aspirated, non-streamlined Flathead motorcycle could go 145.932mph.
Well it did – that’s Paul’s fastest speed attained at Bonneville on his 1937 Harley Flathead. Paul, ever determined to breathe more and more life into those beloved old Flatheads really did it this time. That’s a timing slip to frame. Way-ta-go Paul!
Paul’s lineage abounds with Harley enthusiasts. Paul’s folks come all the way from Cape Town,South Africa to attend Bonneville Speed Week for the first time this year. Henry Friebus (that’s Paul’s Dad) gave testament to just what kind of Harley stock Paul comes from, and on his 83rd birthday (yes, that’s not a typo), took a ride down the salt himself, on Paul’s trusty 1937 Harley Flathead and broke the existing record in the APS-VF 1000cc class with an average speed of 137.541mph. His return run speed was a whopping 139.663mph. Henry, we are all speechless. You sure showed us. I doubt there are many 83year olds who have celebrated their birthday on speed.
David Pilgrim on this 1950 Panhead (aka Bonneville Bobber) chalked up another 4 records this year. His fastest record on this Vintage demon is now 144.235mph – that’s still naturally aspirated and running on straight gas! Well done Team Pilgrim & Stubbs!
Bonneville, in my experience is the playground of the passionate. Passion for vintage motorcycles and their speeds is what David and Juilet of www.peckhammer.blip.tv portray so professionally. Thank-you for bringing these great events to everyone’s laptop.
We couldn’t have this much fun without the SCTA/BNI staff who make this event possible. THANK-YOU! Every year we are met by a team of enthusiastic professional folk who willingly guide us every step of the way. Your work is greatly appreciated. www.scta-bni.org
Another wonderful event, made some great new friends and I know you have heard this before, but, as David Pilgrim would say “Everything still runs and no-one got hurt. Mission accomplished”
2007 Information!
So you wanna know how fast we went….
A Panhead did 142 + MPH at Bonneville – NO! That can’t be.
A 1950 Panhead did 142 + MPH at Bonneville !NO ! Really ???
It’s true, it’s all true. We built David Pilgrim of Rockport , TX a 1950 Panhead motor to race Bonneville and race he did! He set two world speed records at Speed Week in August 2007 with this motor– both records in excess of 140 MPH. This isn’t a 120 cubic inch aftermarket Panhead – this is the real McCoy, a real Panhead, one that meets all the requirements set by SCTA to race in the Vintage Class. His fastest record speed was a staggering
142.045 MPH (naturally aspirated, running gas)
That’s quite the speed for a 1950 Panhead on gas (NO methanol, NO alcohol, NO turbo - just gas). Hats off to David Pilgrim – owner & rider! Way-ta-go David!
Paul worked his Flathead magic once again and raced his 1937 BigTwin Flathead for the 2nd time at Bonneville in August 2007. He set four world speed records this time around– his fastest record speed was
130.556 MPH (naturally aspirated, running gas)
Ditto re the methanol, alcohol & turbo – just gas!
Congratulations Paul !
To quote David as we were packing up after a successful week of racing
“Everything still runs and no-one got hurt. That makes for an excellent week’s
racing.”
We are proud to announce that our motors have now set
17 Vintage Land Speed records
at the Bonneville Salt Flats Speed Week events.
2008 will be the 60th Annual Bonneville Speed Week event. What a 1st class event this is!! A BIG thank-you to all of the SCTA/BNI staff for their sterling work which makes this event not just possible, but an absolute pleasure to participate in. THANK-YOU.
To take a look at our records, please visit
www.scta-bni.org
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