One thing with motorcycle streamliners is they are the most dependent upon salt condition, temperature (time of day) and wind speeds of any type of vehicle that runs down the course itself. Patience is a virtue with these while awaiting ideal or even safe conditions to actually run.
- Sam Wheeler. When has he last run down the course before the multiple year total rebuild to the new configuration? There are a LOT of changes (mechanical, new gearbox, engine, horsepower!, weight distribution, etc) within his streamliner and inevitably he has some testing to validate the modifications before chasing of the milestone itself. It is good to see they are well prepared and have gotten as much chassis dyno testing as they have thanks to sponsor involvement. The biggest challenge here -- time itself -- Sam isn't getting younger unfortunately and not having Sam in the cockpit isn't an option. (I am cheering for Sam though -- super nice guy and I think a vast majority would be happy if he hit a legit 400mph speed before retiring the streamliner to a museum)
- Triumph. Has it actually EVER made a run down the course yet without the outriggers attached? What is the fastest speed they have run so far? Did they have to make some major modifications to it to fit the new (and bigger/taller) driver into that tiny cockpit of the previous driver who it was designed for originally? There is a learning curve to piloting a motorcycle streamliner as well. Inevitably they will need to do more testing and validation before they have a legit shot for the milestone record -- much less a speed record itself. I do have to give their marketing people a big thumbs up as they do a great job of generating publicity for them everywhere on a regular basis.
- Ack. Probably just sitting there waiting patiently for legit competition to challenge their current record. If the salt / weather cooperate, they are definitely the favorites without question. Does anyone know if they have done any major upgrades (aero, chassis or engine) since they last made a record run? And when were they last on the salt itself to make an actual run?
- Bub. Are they still in the running? It has been very quiet as of late in regard to them and their plans. Sometimes silence is a good thing as nobody knows what might be coming...