Hi, I'm Ralph Hudson, my first trip to Bonneville was 1971. Got three records on a '69 Kawasaki 3 cylinder 500 and thought "This is cool!" Went back three years in a row and go nothin', finally got another record or two with a Suzuki 500 twin in '75 (think that was the year), about 144 mph. But, I learned there was a 200 mph Club and wanted to join it. I read a magazine article about aerodynamics in the mid 70's and realized that everything I thought about streamlining was wrong. I've been thinking about building a fairing to try for 200 for about 35 years, and talked about it with anybody who was interested. Finally decided that since I wasn't getting any younger and I better try before I was too old to ride it! I kind of built the fairing of my dreams (a few compromises), put it on a 2003 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 and went to Bonneville this year and got my red hat!!! Stock engine with a slippery shape = 210.6 mph. It was great to be back after all those years, planning for next year now. Not sure what to do next, but I'll be back!
In real life, I build museum exhibits, parade floats for Disney and oddball stuff that contractors don't do. I also build and roadrace vintage bikes with the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA), mostly two strokes (my first love). The stable includes a 500 Suzuki twin, Yamaha TD3 250 twin, Bultaco 175 single and a Honda 160 twin. Keeping the old stuff running is almost a full time job.
I have lurked at Landracing.com a few times, enjoy the insights and information that people are willing to share.