Landracing Forum
Lake Gairdner, Australia => Lake Gairdner, Australia => Topic started by: trimmers on March 12, 2018, 04:15:09 PM
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Fox News (internet) has a piece on Ms. Thompson that says she's going after Ack Attack's record this weekend. Anybody know anything else?
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http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2018/03/12/speed-queen-valerie-thompson-aiming-to-break-376-mph-motorcycle-record-this-weekend.html (http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2018/03/12/speed-queen-valerie-thompson-aiming-to-break-376-mph-motorcycle-record-this-weekend.html)
Mike
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http://www.worldspeedtrials.com/
https://www.dlra.org.au/2018world-record.htm
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For those wondering, Valerie ran 328 and change at Speed Week, Target 550 made 345 and change after lunching a head. It's Friday here so no doubt news will start filtering out in the next few hours.
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Good going, Valerie! The record may be yours some day -- if your bike is capable. Please don't give up.
(For what it's worth, it seems silly to specify "women's record" in any discussion, because the sex/gender is not an issue. If one wants to be silly like that, why not
specify "blonde record" or record for "someone between 5 feet and 5 feet 3 inches tall"??)
I'm a big fan of yours. Keep up the good work. And you might want to talk to Mike Akatiff about riding for him some day, should your
present bike not be up to the task . . . just a suggestion. Or develop/build a new bike for this. There's always room for improvement, right?
Expensive, you say? Just do what I do . . . go out into the back yard, to the money tree . . . and pluck off a bunch of large bills.
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I think she/they'll get serious at the FIM meet aka "World Speed Trials" after Speed Week.
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Will there be FIA timing at the FIM meet? So Target 550 can run. Or are they done for this trip down under?
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The FIM meet is a bike meet so no Target 550.
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The FIM meet is a bike meet so no Target 550.
Thanks for reply Rob. I think I have read elsewhere that Target 550 broke something and no spare parts, so could not run any more on this trip.
Is Valerie the only streamliner entered for the FIM meet?
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I heard Target 550 dropped a valve and stuffed a head that they could not repair for reasons unknown to me.
I don't know of the entries for the FIM meet sorry.
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Tall guy ..you might want to do more research on the contenders ie the Ack liner and Valerie liner ...
based on your comments above
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According to my watch, Sunday is long gone Down Under. Did anybody get any numbers on Valerie that they can post?
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Bub 7 crashes at 300 Valerie OK
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Via the DLRA Facebook page.
"I have just some news sent through to me from some people who stayed to watch the World Speed Trials Australia this morning.
Valerie Thompson Racing in the Seven Motorcycle Streamliner crashed on her run. She got out of the streamliner after the crash by herself and is OK.
Details are the streamliner was in the air at some point and slid for a long way.
Very sad news for the team that have come so far and waited for the right time to run.
More details I guess tonight will come to hand via the FIM - Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme page."
and an earlier post on the FIM page.
"Two Speed World Record fall at World Speed Trials Australia in Lake Gairdner 🇦🇺 👏👏
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#FIM World Records have officially come to South Australia’s Lake Gairdner! Two new world-record speeds were achieved on day two of the World Speed Trials Australia by riders Steve Kell and Greg Watters in their respective classes, also marking the first FIM World Records (pending ratification by the FIM) set in Australia.
It was another windy day on the salt on Sunday, 18 March, with a steady breeze running up the course, at times surpassing the maximum wind component allowed by FIM rules (17.6 km/h, 11 mph). But racers sat poised at the start, ready to take advantage of breaks in wind to make their runs, and their patience paid off.
“Today started with iffy conditions due to the wind,” said Steve Kell. “Patience was required, which we all have done as competitors. It’s been touch-and-go all day, but within the small windows that cropped up, we were able to make a good run. It was a wild ride coming back; it wasn’t pretty, but we got there.”
Kell reached a speed of 250.148 km/h (155.435 mph) for a new record in the non-streamlined, naturally aspirated 750cc class (I.A1.A I.3+ 750cc). The Queensland native was nearly the first to set a world record at Lake Gairdner, but barely missed out on the distinction to Watters.
“Greg Watters beat me by about 20 minutes,” Kell said with a laugh.
Watters broke ground with the first world-record performance in Australia, his coming in the non-streamlined, forced induction 1600cc class (I.A1.A II.3+ 1600cc). Watters took his turbo-charged Suzuki Hayabusa to an average speed of 337.231 km/h (209.545 mph).
“We went down 216 (mph) and returned 203,” said Watters. “It’s not making all the power it should be; I got a boost-controller problem. But it will be a world record (pending FIM ratification).”
Runs were also completed by other competitors such as Ben Felten, the totally blind competitor riding with the assistance of former GP racer Kevin Magee. Felten and Magee made multiple runs on the course aboard their Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycles, allowing the duo to get a feel for the course and fine-tune their coordination. Like several others, Felten plans to make his world-record attempt tomorrow—Monday 19 March, the third and final day of the World Speed Trials Australia—when weather conditions are expected to be optimum.
As for Valerie Thompson and the Team 7 Racing streamliner, which is far more sensitive to the wind due to its size and speed, they also plan to make their grand attempt tomorrow. The track conditions are nearly perfect, with a smooth, solid 12-mile track, but all they need now is still air to complete an aggressive run. Text and photos Jean Turner"
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Bike liner drivers are a special breed of people. "When" they fall over at 300-ish, they stand em back up, patch up the wounds & go again. Valerie has my respect & admiration. You go girl! 8-)
Sid.
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Valerie, here's to a fellow "Zoanie"! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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For those on Facebook, here are some photos of the 'liner per Jean Turner, looks like Valerie's going to sport a bruised shin and not a lot more. Can't imagine sliding so far after a short flight and the damage doesn't appear to be too bad happily. I ditched Photobucket when they wanted coin or I'd share them here. Someone else likely will do.
Glad you are ok Valerie.
https://www.facebook.com/jean.turner.98/posts/10215930508797007
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Huh!
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Great news to hear that Valerie is unhurt. The liner doesn't look to bad from the pics I saw on FB, so hopefully it is not bent and very repairable.
Well done Valerie. We are all wishing you the best of luck.
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From the FIM Facebook page.
"FIM - Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
Valerie Thompson Racing and Team 7 Racing suffered a crash at speedon Monday 19 March, at Lake Gairdner during day three of the World Speed Trials Australia. Fortunately Thompson walked away from the stunning wreck with only minor injuries.
Conditions were ideal in the morning, as anticipated, and Team 7 Racing set out to make their attempt at the all-time FIM World Record, aiming for speeds near 400 mph. Thompson had passed the four-mile marker and reported being at 299 mph when the trouble started. Chase vehicles saw the tail end of the streamliner come up in the air, but the chutes were deployed which helped stabilize the resulting crash. The wreckage was spread out along nearly a mile of the course.
The team is currently assessing the damage and reviewing the incident. Owner Denis Manning and the rest of Team 7 Racing are relieved Thompson was able to walk away from the crash, and were glad to report that the safety equipment all performed as intended.
The streamliner left an impressive trench along the edge of the course, but there was no major damage to the track, which remains in near-perfect condition. Cleanup has taken place and racing is back underway for the rest of the contenders at the final day of the World Speed Trials Australia."
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Valerie crash.
I feel really bad for Denis I know the feeling.
https://youtu.be/Yl8NDTyeHqg
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Thanks for the video Mike.
Denis built an awesome bike with the emphasis in the right places. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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From the FIM Facebook page.
"FIM - Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
Valerie Thompson Racing and Team 7 Racing suffered a crash at speedon Monday 19 March, at Lake Gairdner during day three of the World Speed Trials Australia. Fortunately Thompson walked away from the stunning wreck with only minor injuries.
Conditions were ideal in the morning, as anticipated, and Team 7 Racing set out to make their attempt at the all-time FIM World Record, aiming for speeds near 400 mph. Thompson had passed the four-mile marker and reported being at 299 mph when the trouble started. Chase vehicles saw the tail end of the streamliner come up in the air, but the chutes were deployed which helped stabilize the resulting crash. The wreckage was spread out along nearly a mile of the course.
The team is currently assessing the damage and reviewing the incident. Owner Denis Manning and the rest of Team 7 Racing are relieved Thompson was able to walk away from the crash, and were glad to report that the safety equipment all performed as intended.
The streamliner left an impressive trench along the edge of the course, but there was no major damage to the track, which remains in near-perfect condition. Cleanup has taken place and racing is back underway for the rest of the contenders at the final day of the World Speed Trials Australia."
299mph is a far cry from 343mph either way. Went through the four mile at 299 and then the trouble started. Glad she and everyone is OK. Sorry Denis and hopefully the damage is not too bad.
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i was spotting a the six mile and heard the "Thud", a very distinctive 'Thud" :-(
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Don't most bike liners have a "tilt switch" that launches when they go over?
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Don't most bike liners have a "tilt switch" that launches when they go over?
Yes they do... and it looked like that one worked...
I was at the 6 (middle of timed mile) for the run too, heard what I thought was a pop, then the thud, the bike had been called passed the 4 when it happened... the video looks like it flopped on its side. I thought it might have locked the rear wheel when I heard the first pop, the motor sounded great till it didn't
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Looking at the slo mo video the chutes did not automatically deploy. In the first part of the crash the bike appears to yaw badly and the tail section rises rapidly then slams down on its side. The chutes should have been deployed at this point. The cycle repeats and the second time the tail slaps down and one chute deploys. I am guessing the second event caused the carbon fiber section that houses them to break apart. Jean Turners still photos show the two chute launch pistons hanging out of the missing tail section. She is very lucky to be able to walk away.
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I looked at the asme video and it looked to me that it all worked excatly as is was meant to
the carbon fibre tail section was designed to come off before the chute deployed
And that seh walked away had nothing to do with luck, it was more to do with it being a very well designed streamliner
G
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I looked at the asme video and it looked to me that it all worked excatly as is was meant to
the carbon fibre tail section was designed to come off before the chute deployed
And that seh walked away had nothing to do with luck, it was more to do with it being a very well designed streamliner
G
The rules require the chutes deploy automatically when the bike tilts 45 degrees or more. I guess I missed the section where it says; or when the bike is breaking apart during the crash.
I generally don’t pass along private correspondence but this is probably the most critical safety issue when designing a motorcycle streamliner and anyone building or contemplating building a streamliner should take heed.
From Tom Burkland:
Mike,
Absolutely spot on assessment. BUB7 spent a long period of time sliding on the right side in a full 90 degree roll, and eventually rolls full inverted to loose the canopy in a massive spray of excavated salt.
Both parachutes (Denis subscribes to the small high speed canopy that stabilized but doesn’t provide much braking) were deployed together by the impact that broke the tail area.
Canopy retention is a significant safety feature for rider protection and aerodynamic stability. This one has always been too light for my taste, as proven by the early loss in this accident.
Thanks,
Tom Burkland
From Rocky Robinson:
Hi Mike,
I watched the slow-mo a few more times and you are right, the chutes should have deployed as the bike went on its side initially, but did not until after the second impact. When I drove that machine we had several chute failures. They use shear pins to hold the tail pieces in place and the air rams on several occasions didn’t have enough hit to break them. I was surprised the carbon shell held up as well as it did. I agree she was damn lucky to walk away without injury.
Rocky Robinson
www.rocky-robinson.com
The failure of the chutes to deploy can have dire consequences. If you don’t believe me ask Cliff Gullett, Leo Hess or Sam Wheeler.
She is very very lucky to walk away.
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In every crash the person involved is lucky to walk away!
Maybe I am not seeing it right... when the liner comes from behind the van it looks to be on its wheels... I can't tell for sure but it almost looks like a waggle before it goes behind the van. Things happen very quickly from there.... is that how everyone is seeing this?
Mike, I agree with Tom, auto chute deploy is critical to bike liners...
I am thinking about a way to trigger it on the new lakester... not at roll over but at departure from running straight... but that is off topic and for another thread
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It was stated she was going 343 MPH (Data Logger?) and that's something over 500 ft/sec. It looked like about 2 to 3 seconds when the chute started to deploy A lot happens at that speed and I doubt if she could have reacted any faster. The design worked well as it shows the liner protected the rider.
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Stainless,
The removable "lizard" tail on my liner is designed to break away in a big crash deploying all the chutes. The releases are bear claw latches that are cable operated. At the cable junction between the wheels I have a solenoid that can trigger all six at once by a tilt switch or driver switch.
Sid.
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In every crash the person involved is lucky to walk away!
Maybe I am not seeing it right... when the liner comes from behind the van it looks to be on its wheels... I can't tell for sure but it almost looks like a waggle before it goes behind the van. Things happen very quickly from there.... is that how everyone is seeing this?
Mike, I agree with Tom, auto chute deploy is critical to bike liners...
I am thinking about a way to trigger it on the new lakester... not at roll over but at departure from running straight... but that is off topic and for another thread
Stainless contact Rodger Lessman he is adapting this sensor to his car for automatic chute deployment.
https://www.2gig-eng.com/mems-inclinometer/
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In every crash the person involved is lucky to walk away!
Maybe I am not seeing it right... when the liner comes from behind the van it looks to be on its wheels... I can't tell for sure but it almost looks like a waggle before it goes behind the van. Things happen very quickly from there.... is that how everyone is seeing this?
Mike, I agree with Tom, auto chute deploy is critical to bike liners...
I am thinking about a way to trigger it on the new lakester... not at roll over but at departure from running straight... but that is off topic and for another thread
Stainless contact Rodger Lessman he is adapting this sensor to his car for automatic chute deployment.
https://www.2gig-eng.com/mems-inclinometer/
Thank you for posting my companies web address on this forum. My name is Jody Knowles and if I can be of any help to provide a tilt sensor to improve your safety I would be happy to speak with you. https://www.2gig-eng.com/contact/
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"Thank you for posting my companies web address on this forum. My name is Jody Knowles and if I can be of any help to provide a tilt sensor to improve your safety I would be happy to speak with you. https://www.2gig-eng.com/contact/"
Jody, I spoke with Jesse yesterday and discussed features I was looking for in a sensor to deploy my parachute. You have most everything I am looking for but Jesse said you were working on adding the Z-axis (yaw). Setting the trigger for a user defined angle, both right and left, is one of the more important features for me. Any idea when Z-axis will be available?
John
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"Thank you for posting my companies web address on this forum. My name is Jody Knowles and if I can be of any help to provide a tilt sensor to improve your safety I would be happy to speak with you. https://www.2gig-eng.com/contact/"
Jody, I spoke with Jesse yesterday and discussed features I was looking for in a sensor to deploy my parachute. You have most everything I am looking for but Jesse said you were working on adding the Z-axis (yaw). Setting the trigger for a user defined angle, both right and left, is one of the more important features for me. Any idea when Z-axis will be available?
John
Hello John, I have a solution for your Z-axis needs that I would like to speak to you about. Please feel free to call when its convenient for you.
Jody
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6aSXxva5l4
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Sid, thank you for sharing these great photos. Most people other then LSR racers don't realize what a undertaking it is to run on the flats or Bonneville.
When I went to Bonneville in 1953 I knew nothing about this sport except I got salt fever and go back for a yearly fix. As you know I was the timer for 21 years and the last few years or so have been a crew member on the two Vesco streamliners and have been doing the announcing for USFRA for the last 3 years. This is a life style for us and meeting so many great people over the years is beyond awesome. Hoping for some good salt this year. The Turbinator wants to go 500 mph.
Thanks again Sid.
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Nice slide show! Her parachute looks like a ring-slot design. I wonder how large it is?
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ