Scott Guthrie wrote this remembrance of Bill. Well said, Scott, and thank you very much from Nancy and me -- for helping all of us remember him.
BILL WARNER WAS A MAN IN FULL.
Only 44 years old, Bill Warner accomplished more in land speed
racing than most racers accomplish in a career – probably ten careers.
Most knowledgeable racers expect that Bill’s 311 MPH terminal speed
record in the 1.5 mile race will not be broken in their lifetimes,
and that Bill’s mile record of 296 MPH – set only hours
before his death – will be the same.
Warner, a marine biologist and college graduate was a
gentle tropical fish farmer in the Tampa Florida area.
Bill came late to land speed racing, beginning a racing career
of rocket-ship-like performance less than 10 years ago.
Always trying to reach the next level of speed, Bill was
never satisfied with “good enough.” Bill quickly proved
his championship strengths by taking the Texas Mile motorcycle
track record with an un-streamlined bike in 2010.
It was at that point that we all realized that everybody else
was playing catch-up ball, and that we were in
the final 2 minutes of the game.
The next year, Bill slammed down his earth- shaking,
and world-beating 311 MPH run at Loring.
In one single run, Bill became the first to break
270 mph, 280 mph, 290 mph, 300 mph and 310 mph.
In a time when the ultimate record was being increased by
Measures of 5 or 10 mph – or even 2 mph – Bill in one run
advanced the mark 50 mph.
And he wasn’t even done.
Bill brought to the sport, and to his pursuit of that sport,
a drive and intensity rarely seen in it’s combination of intellect,
scientific thinking, willingness to work 24/7 and to place
all his worldly assets in the service of his racing goals.
While doing this, Bill maintained an even temper,
rarely if ever raising his voice in anger.
He blessed his friends with his ready humor,
and he humored those that thought they were his competition.
In fact, Bill had no competition.
And he never will.
