Landracing Forum
Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => Bonneville General Chat => Topic started by: Seldom Seen Slim on July 24, 2012, 07:10:21 PM
-
I got this press release today - from Dick Lague. Dick has spent lots of time video-ing at Bonneville and here presents a nice summary of Sam's current efforts. Sam plans to ride his bike at this fall's Shootout. NOTE: I don't know if the You-Tube video will transfer as a link or whether you'll have to copy and paste it into the URL bar of your web browser. Do it, whichever way you need to do it to see it. Dick Lague alsom mentioned that this video is one part of a six-part series being done on Sam and his racing adventures. If I get 'em -- I'll post them for us all to watch. Finally, there are three photos -- one of the bike, one of Sam and one of Sam with Fred Fox of Parts Unlimited. They're at the end of the release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PARTS UNLIMITED BACKS SAM WHEELER IN LAND SPEED RECORD ATTEMPT
400 MPH will be needed to set the new world record on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Vance & Hines supplies Suzuki 500+HP Hayabusas.
Janesville, WI…July 18, 2012. Parts Unlimited will be the major sponsor for Sam Wheeler and his motorcycle streamliner in his quest to set a new motorcycle land speed record. Sam Wheeler of Arcadia, CA who is considered to be the best designer/constructor/driver in the motorcycle Land Speed Record (LSR) game, will attempt to break the current motorcycle land speed record of 376.156 MPH on the Bonneville Salt Flats this fall. With good weather and salt conditions, Sam feels he will be capable of exceeding 400 MPH.
Sam has over 50 years of motorcycle LSR experience. He built his first streamliner with some friends in high school. Sam’s present liner has one of the most aerodynamic shapes in LSR racing, and for this new attempt he plans to almost double his horsepower. Sam is switching from two Kawasaki KZ 1100 engines to a single Suzuki Hayabusa 1300 engine that will be built by Bryon Hines, of Vance and Hines. The turbo charging system will be built by Terry Kizer of Mr. Turbo. Sam explains his changes at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfbVf4YLRqw .
Fred Fox (Parts Unlimited CEO) has always admired Sam’s streamliner. When he discovered that Sam was thinking about a major revision to the proven streamliner with more horsepower, a new drive system, and a new rear tire, Fred made the decision to get on board and help turn Sam’s dream to a reality.
“Sam has a brilliant plan to break this record. I was impressed that he had designed almost every component on computer aided drawing. It was all very well thought out.” said Fox. "One look at his ideas, and I was hooked. As a mechanical engineer, I find the challenge and Sam’s solutions nothing short of brilliant. We are happy and honored to help Sam Wheeler. This is typical of how we support the sport of motorcycling, and it’s extra nice with a great guy and a very big goal.”
Fox then sought the help of Terry Vance at Vance & Hines to furnish support for the pit crew and turned to Performance Machine to build the new rear wheel. Fred helped convince Goodyear to supply their very special Land Speed Record tires. Other sponsors currently include Dynojet, Saddlemen, Belray, ICON, Z1R, Roland Sands Designs, Alpinestars and UPS (Parts Unlimited and Parts Europe’s primary shipper). EZ Hook was given a prime sponsor logo location on the tail of the streamliner in appreciation for their many years of supporting Sam’s efforts.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am to have Parts Unlimited join our effort. They really support the motorcycle sport and have fun doing it. Fred Fox came to my shop in December and we talked for hours about what it would take to get this record. He is 100% committed to working with us to finish the job.” said Sam Wheeler.
The Sam Wheeler streamliner is considered to be the most technically advanced and meticulously constructed motorcycle streamliner in the World. The main competitors’ motorcycle streamliners are Denis Manning’s Seven and Mike Akatiff’s Ack Attack. Manning and Akatiff have traded records back and forth since 2006 when both of them topped the existing record during the same week time trial. Wheeler had the fastest one-way time in that event, but crash damage prevented him from doing the mandatory second run. Many knowledgeable observers feel that Sam’s streamliner definitely has the potential to break the existing record. Any new challenger to the record will need the capability of going over 400 miles an hour. Sam’s major competition presently is Mike Ackatiff who is the current world record holder.
Sam hopes to run at Bonneville this fall if the conditions are right and everything is ready to go. A world record is the average of 2 runs – one in each direction on a 12 mile course. The center mile has timing lights. The runs must be done on the same day with a maximum of 2 hours elapsed time between the runs. At 300 MPH approaching the timed mile it takes less than 10 seconds to cover a mile.
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii147/SeldomSeenSlim/Bonneville%202012/SteamlinerRev4-page-001.jpg)
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii147/SeldomSeenSlim/Bonneville%202012/WHEELER6-28-12300.jpg)
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii147/SeldomSeenSlim/Bonneville%202012/WHEELER6-28-12301.jpg)
-
Great article and Sam is a super guy and friend. :cheers:
-
Great article and Sam is a super guy and friend. :cheers:
Exactly like Glen said. :cheers: Wayno
-
Jon, Thanks for posting this. Sam is putting in some really long hours, and as you can see in the video he is making some very ambitious changes. Tires, rear suspension, Hayabusa Vance&Hines engines, MoTec, etc..
Should be fun to see him go head to head with his friend Mike Akatiff.
I would be happy answer any questions that I can on Sam's effort.
Dick
-
I had the privilege of Sam giving me (and a friend) a late night tour and overview of his streamliner and his planned updates when visiting this past March. Definitely impressive in how they compress so much into such a small space within this motorcycle high speed flyer. I'm a big fan to be honest -- and I like his single engine approach and trusting of the engineering that goes into what he surrounds himself with. It's hard to imagine at times he has 20yrs experience with this streamliner and its current aerodynamic packaging -- and he has been running the salt with motorcycle streamliners for decades longer.
I for one would like to see him be the 1st to break the 400mph record (both directions) with #999.
-
here is the video as discussed above:
Youtube link --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a9eqmF42GI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a9eqmF42GI)
-
Great video.
-
Great video.
2nd that, Sam has it all really, smarts, competitive , history and a great guy.
-
Go Sam!!!!!
-
Great to see, the benchmark of Motorcycle Streamliners IMHO.
I have not had the pleasure of meeting Sam but he has been more than helpful when I have emailed him with questions. Not many people would take the time to help some random guy who cold emailed them from 1/2 a world away.
Dick - Does Sam have any shirts for sale?
Best of luck
jon
-
This land speed racing just keeps getting better and better! :cheers:
Sam has knocked on the door - looks like he will blow the door down now! :cheers:
-
Good Luck Mr. Wheeler...........
See ya on the salt one more time......
-
Sam does not have shirts for sale at this time, but we are working on it.
Dick
(http://cyclenews.coverleaf.com/cyclenews/20120724#pg29)
-
49 years ago, the electrical conduit special...
(http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu248/gyronaut/SamWheeler1lo.jpg)
-
Congrats to sam wheeler I really want to see him do good.
Sam is switching from two Kawasaki KZ 1100 engines to a single Suzuki Hayabusa 1300 engine that will be built by Bryon Hines, of Vance and Hines. The turbo charging system will be built by Terry Kizer of Mr. Turbo. Sam explains his changes at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfbVf4YLRqw .
there is barley enough room in that bike for 1 engine..........
the only engine I remember in that bike was 1 zx-11 engine
-
I think a typo Rick
-
Its a press release. Do you think that the guy/gal who wrote it knows anything about racing at Bonneville?
DW
-
I am personally very excited about seeing Sam on the salt again, and his "new" machine.
The fun part for me is being able to do the initial scrutineering, because I get to go over the entire machine
from stem to stern, and back.
He is one of the most humble, but also noteworthy motorcycle landspeed racers to grace the salt.
Drew Gatewood
Cook Landspeed Shootout Sept.15-19
-
49 years ago, the electrical conduit special...
(http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu248/gyronaut/SamWheeler1lo.jpg)
That kid with the rag in his pocket is Roger Lamb of Lamb components. He and Sam still great friends.....Roger is making the carbon carbon rear brakes for the new liner setup.
-
there was only 1 ZX11. I did not catch this in proof reading. Somehow 2 engines got inserted in there. Sam mentioned it today and we have changed the release.....good catch!!
-
Its a press release. Do you think that the guy/gal who wrote it knows anything about racing at Bonneville?
DW
I wrote it and I DO know a thing or two about Bonneville.
That being said I was also the guy responsible for final proofreading and failed at that after some changed the draft to 2 engines!!
I do know a bit about the big 3 motorcycle liners having co-produced a SPEED show on it, published 2 books, on these liners, and spent 25 years in the motorcycle magazine business......ask Freud if I have any credentials!
And I am normally a modest man.....until someone gets my Irish up.
-
A couple more from the camera of Alex Tremulis. It was just a couple days later that Alex would meet up with Bob Leppan for the first time, and begin their own quest for the SA3000 record.
Best of luck to you, Sam. Long overdue...
(http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu248/gyronaut/SamWheeler2lo.jpg)
(http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu248/gyronaut/SamWheeler3lo.jpg)
-
Its a press release. Do you think that the guy/gal who wrote it knows anything about racing at Bonneville?
DW
I wrote it and I DO know a thing or two about Bonneville.
That being said I was also the guy responsible for final proofreading and failed at that after some changed the draft to 2 engines!!
I do know a bit about the big 3 motorcycle liners having co-produced a SPEED show on it, published 2 books, on these liners, and spent 25 years in the motorcycle magazine business......ask Freud if I have any credentials!
And I am normally a modest man.....until someone gets my Irish up.
tough crowd, :-D :-D
Pretty sure I met you at Gairdner with Ack and Sam Dick, liked the video, nicely shot.
-
I am sure we met there and maybe ate some lamb together in the Cantina on the lake shore.
Gairdner was sure fun. I got to love VB and all those great wines you have there.....and the people were so friendly. Maybe we need to go back there!
Good to hear from you......it can be a tough crowd but they are all good guys.
Dick
-
Dick,
My point was that PR people in general have no idea what they write about. Nothing personal towards you. God knows I have missed things when proofing what I have written. Witness the piles of paper around my desk when putting the rulebook together.
Carry on - good luck,
DW
-
DW your point is well said..........They, for the most part, are ignorant in this venue.
-
no problem.....I am just honored and happy to be helping Sam out with this latest phase of his quest of getting the record.
-
Dick,
That was not lamb... :roll:
Think jumpy-rat looking things with a tail.... :evil:
-
OK is that what it was!!?? I guess you don't notice when you have enough Victoria Bitters to wash it down!!
-
Dick,
That was not lamb... :roll:
Think jumpy-rat looking things with a tail.... :evil:
Kangaroo is better tucker than deer John.....and better than so-so lamb....but good lamb?...mmmmmmmmm I dunno why you were drinking VB out there when they would have had Coopers Pale.....
hahahahaha I remember Michelle looking at her roast chicken, whole folks, with a degree of suspicion........
isn't this one of yours Dick? It's my 64 panel van.....now I'm remembering how hot it was that year....
(http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd35/Jarman-Stewart/vanatsalt.jpg)
-
yep, it is either mine or my nephew Larry Lague. Can't remember but he is a terrific shooter. lives up in San Francisco was down here this weekend for son Jon's wedding? Gairdner was a great time. VERY good memories. Need to go back to Australia soon.
Dick
-
We just posted a new video on Sam's new transmission and drive system
see it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVJcZZJUAHE
Next video will be on the Vance & Hines built Hayabusa engine.
-
BART MADSEN, Managing Editor at Motorcycle-USA did a great job on this story of Sam Wheeler's EZ HOOK/PARTS UNLIMITED streamliner project.....very complete and highly accurate. Take a look at it here:
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/499/14057/Motorcycle-Article/Sam-Wheeler-Prepares-for-400-mph.aspx
-
Thanks for the update on the wheeler effort, we have been anxiously awaiting the second video. Both videos were highly entertaining and well done.
Is there a confirmed entry list for the Cook event?
Are spectators welcome?
Thanks.
-
Thanks for the update on the wheeler effort, we have been anxiously awaiting the second video. Both videos were highly entertaining and well done.
Is there a confirmed entry list for the Cook event?
Are spectators welcome?
Thanks.
This link has the current line up:
http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,11681.0.html
-
BART MADSEN, Managing Editor at Motorcycle-USA did a great job on this story of Sam Wheeler's EZ HOOK/PARTS UNLIMITED streamliner project.....very complete and highly accurate. Take a look at it here:
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/499/14057/Motorcycle-Article/Sam-Wheeler-Prepares-for-400-mph.aspx
Great story! Thanks for the link :cheers:
-
Thanks for the information.
-
Video 3 is up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q8IOtnvwA4&feature=youtube_gdata_player (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q8IOtnvwA4&feature=youtube_gdata_player)
-
going to suzuki power-and involving the HINES-sam sure knows how to get the best.
-
VANCE & HINES has done an amazing job on the engines and they have been very open with the details on what they are putting in the motors. Byron Hines, Eddie Krawiec, and Terry Hines are terrifically committed. Fred Fox put the deal together and it has been great for Sam.
-
Here is Episode 4 of Sam Wheeler: Race to 400 MPH - Drive train
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePhQjjpQ2lg
-
Doesn't matter what it is about Sam Wheeler, whenever I see him, hear him speak or see the streamliner I get chills. The man whom everybody is rooting for, a great friend and wish him nothing but success. Lifetime mission to make a dream come true, he does not want to be on TV, he does not want to be the topic of conversation, he does not want to be in spotlight he just wants the record, and I hope he becomes the first over 400 mph.
Jon
-
Sam has the patience of Job. If Mother Nature cooperates it will be exciting. Hard to argue with half a century of experience. You know you have lived your life well when everyone is rooting for you. Go get it Sam, a goal probably twice as fast as your original quest. Be safe, we all wish you the best. LSL
-
This will be a great year on the salt if Mother Nature cooperates.... We have known Sam almost forever... ran the same motors for years, we went from ZX to GS, good to see Sam coming over to the dark side. His 1350 SCTA record was faster than the "world record" for several years.
When he went 355 and crashed everyone was heartbroken... except maybe Denis and Chris Carr....
The video series is really good, for those that don't know Sam, you get the feel that he is a real nice, unassuming guy, that is Sam. We are thrilled he has a major sponsor, in fact several, way better than the old "his wallet" sponsorship he had in the past.
This gonna be great, can hardly wait to see who clocks the first 400.... not to mention the fastest 400 at the end of the season.
Good luck to all :cheers:
-
Looking for to see Sam again at the salt...I missed him all the years....
and when he is back at the Shootout...I will be with my camera out there...so as I was when he set a decade ago his 1350 SCTA record...Glen (Chieftimer) I hope you still got the poster of the record return run which you won at the Salt Talk....
the new paint work will be tough to get properly into the picture...the green looked so great at the salt...let's see...if the sun creates the right light....
Wow...what a year....
-
Pork pie I do and it's on my office wall, as always a great photograph by one of the best,Thanks my friend. :cheers: