Posted September 5, 2006   Email   Print

Chris Carr and Denis Manning set new land-speed record at Bonneville; second record in three days

By Grant Parsons

In what will be remembered as the biggest day in the history of motorcycle land-speed racing, AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr has shattered the day-old FIM world record by piloting Denis Manning's BUB streamliner to 350.884 mph at the AMA/FIM International Motorcycle Speed Trials by BUB on the Bonneville salt flats.

Carr broke the two-day-old record of 342.797 mph set by Ack Attack, the first motorcycle to break the long-standing 16-year-old mark of 322 mph set by the Easyriders streamliner piloted by Dave Campos. With salt conditions perfect, even Carr's new record is not safe.

"It don't know how long the record will stand," said Carr, tearful with joy. "It might stand for only a couple of hours, but right now, I'm the fastest guy in the world."

Even as Carr and Manning were celebrating, the Ack Attack streamliner that set a new record on Sunday was lining up for another attempt.

Manning wasn't going to sit back and savor the record, either.

"Let's put on bigger gearing," he told his crew as the streamliner was brought into the pit area. "This game isn't over."

Check back later for a full report on the land-speed record attempts when racing ends later today. And watch for a feature article on full week of speed trials in the November issue of American Motorcyclist magazine.

© 2006, American Motorcyclist Association