‘Run what you brung’ is the order
of the day here. From 50cc tiddlers to 3000cc monsters.
From stock motorcycles to highly specialized streamliners.
You’ll find them all on the salt.
So what does it take to race the Lake? Well, firstly
you sign up with the DLRA (Dry Lake Racers Australia),
who are the sanctioning body. You then pay a one-off
fee that entitles you to lifetime membership, carefully
read through the rulebook and, choose a class or multiple
classes to compete in. Next you prepare your bike
(consult your newly acquired rule book) and finally,
in March, you head Outback for one week of Aussie
rev-head madness.
You are guaranteed to be blown away by the machinery,
astounded by the speeds and amazed by the physical
beauty of the lake. Come out and try it for yourself.
Find out just how hard it can be to go fast in a straight
line. You’ll learn all about the limits of traction,
the effects of aerodynamic drag, and even why horsepower
has to be cubed to double your speed. And the best
part? You’ll get all those cobwebs out of your exhaust
system!
So come on, get out here and get started. Who knows,
you might even get bitten by the salt bug.
HAWKWIND RACING
Gary Baker has been around bikes all his life.
In fact, he got his licence way back in 1972!
After a stint of road racing during the ’80s, Gary
became more and more fascinated with speed. Says Gary,
“I read about the exploits of my heroes at Bonneville,
blokes like the late Don Vesco, Dave Campos and John
Minono,
who achieved incredible speeds on motorcycles,” Gary
continues, “It always stuck in the back of the old
brain. If I ever got the chance and funds to hit the
salt flats, I’d do it.”
Around five years ago Gary met some Aussie Hot-Rodders
who’d started a club and were racing on Lake Gairdner.
Gary continues, “I made some enquiries and then in
2001 I attended Speed Week as a spectator and was
hooked for life. Although it was mostly cars racing
that year, there was a wide variety of bikes; everything
from old Vincent’s and Triumph’s to modern sportsbikes
and an amazing streamliner built and owned by Lucky
Kaiser of the twin Rolls Royce Merlin fame.”
Gary has attended every speed week since, but this
year was the first time he actually entered and raced
his Nitrous Hayabusa. He was joined by two other blokes
on Hayabusas, Greg on his 300hp turbo ‘Busa, and Gazza
on his highly modified ‘Busa.
“Gazza and myself, along with another competitor from
SA, cracked 200mph, and we were also the first bikes
at the ‘Lake to do so. Greg reached 198mph and holed
a piston, but the mad bugger went back
out running on three cylinders and still achieved
almost 200mph!”
And next year? Gazza is going to big-bore his ‘Busa,
Greg is building up a more reliable motor and installing
a bigger turbo,
and I’m building an LSR [Land Speed Racing] special
1000cc Kwaka and the busa is getting a 200hp shot
of Nitrous. We’re all looking to better 230mph come
2005. See ya all on the salt.
LAKE GAIRDNER SPEED WEEK, MARCH
8th – 12th 2004
RESULTS
Gary Peterson #394 2000 Suzuki GSX 1300R MPS-G-1350
204.603*
Grant Schlein #371 Suzuki Hayabusa MPS-G-1350 204.104
Gary Baker #282 Suzuki Hayabusa MPS-F-1350 202.065*
Greg Watters #379 Suzuki Hayabusa MPS-G-1350 198.019
Grant Schlein #371 Suzuki Hayabusa P-P-1350 196.42*
Greg Watters #379 Suzuki Hayabusa MPS-BG-1350 173.845*
Chris Matheson #380 Suzuki Hayabusa MPS-G-1350 167.837
Ron Stayt #178 82 Kawasaki GPZ1000R MB-F-1350 159.602
Phil Cvirn #135 63 Harley Davidson Shovel Head MP-F-1650
152.775*
Phil Mumenthaler #303 78 Honda CBX M-G-1350 146.160*
Roland Skate #388 78 Honda CBX M-G-1350 143.76
Steven Barnett #391 72 Suzuki GT750 M-G-750 142.608
Phil Cvirn #135 63 Harley Davidson Shovel Head MP-G-1650
141.933
Ben James #389 78 Ducati SD900 P-P-900 128.066*
Geoff Spurway #219 52 Triumph M-VF-650 126.408*
Ian Case #396 98 Suzuki TL1000S MPS-G-1350 125.278
Paul Rogers #372 2004 XB12R Buell P-PP-1350 125.243*
Ross Northwood #377 2004 XB12R Buell P-PP-1350 124.826
Laszio Molnar #347 85 Harley Softail 1350 PPG 121.424
Paul Broughan #259 Honda PP-50 36.255
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