Pages From Life

[T L Cole]

BUB Speedtrials 2008

There is something about being on the Bonneville Salt Flats as the sunrises!


It could be the vastness of a sheet of white Salt for as far as the eye can see or it may be the pending day’s activities? In reality it is this and so much more! But to fully appreciate it everyone needs to make their own pilgrimage to this place that is like no other.


Salt Fever – that is what it is called once the experience of speed on the Salt has been logged. I was informed last year on my inaugural visit that I would catch it and I did – Thanks Gary! But this year there was a goal to establish a national land speed record and put it into the American Motorcycle Association books. In June I found a Triumph TT600 Turbo on Ebay and began work to prepare it for the first week of September. In August a trailer was purchased off of Craigslist and was transformed into the “perfect bike hauler.”


On August 30 I began the 1,700 mile journey to Western Utah and 38 hours later I was checking into the Nugget hotel in Wendover. The next two days were spent in final preparations of the bike along with registration and going through scrutinizing (technical inspection}. With the bike official and the fees paid Tuesday morning I was ready for the first run on the bike. The green flag waved and off I went. Taking it easy and going through the flying mile in fourth gear and five pounds of boost from the turbo – 136 mph. Everything felt perfect on the bike so after checking it over it was back in line for another run. This time 6th gear and five pounds of boost brought the number up to 149 mph. Things are looking and feeling good so back in line for the last run of the day and through the mile at 159 mph. I decide to take Wednesday to go through the bike and assure myself everything is as it should be. Along with a sprocket change to up the gearing and removing the front brakes I was ready for Thursday morning and my next set of runs.

Due to a bit of confusion on my part with what the local time was I ended up at the entrance gate at 5:15 am and an hour earlier than what I had planned. It turned out to be good though since I was let onto the Salt early with the workers. The best part is that once again I enjoyed a perfect sunrise just prior to joining the line to be one of the first on the course. The green flag waived and I was off working my way up to 6th gear and 7 pounds of boost from the turbo. The bike was stable and smooth all the way through and it brought a 160.441 mph time. I headed to impound in order to make the return run and see if the record could be established. They sent me down to the end of the course and after the three bikes in front of me I was up. Again working through the gears watching my RPM’s bounce around the 14,000 range and the speedometer showing 169, 170 mph (the speedometer of course is not accurate) I pass over the blue line thinking I am exiting the mile and start to slow down. A glance to the side shows me passing the pit area and I realize I was entering the mile not exiting – blew that run with a 140 mph ticket. I decide to go straight back in line and start over. Three hours later of the sun beating down and it is my turn on the Salt. Focus down course towards the “floating mountain” in the distance and the starter waves the green flag. I concentrate on changing gears as close to red line as possible and tucking in tighter then the previous runs. I start out on the right side of the course and by the time I exit the three mile marker the side wind has pushed me to the opposite side. But I am ok with this because the rev limiter was pegged at 14,000 RPM, the boost was pushing eight pounds and the speedometer was reading 172 mph – which meant it was my fastest run yet at an official 162.013 mph.

Back to impound and I take a 30 minute break to drink some fluids and eat an energy bar. Within 55 minutes of finishing the last down run I am back at the end of the course ready for the return run and see what my average could be? Green flag waves; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th gear with 14,000 rpm and tucked in behind the windscreen as tight as I can get. Holding steady as the bike crosses the blue line all the way through to the four mile marker. Slowly roll off the throttle and bring the speed down as my head and torso slowly rise to help with scrubbing speed. Down shift a few times and off to the side of the course followed with a yell of jubilation inside the helmet and the most enjoyable ride back to impound to check in. The return run comes in at 162.927 mph giving a two way average of 162.47 mph. With the two runs less then a mile a part I decide to accept it as the fastest time for this trip.


For the record to be certified the bike must go through another inspection and to confirm that it really is 650 cc’s or less. Thursday morning is spent in impound taking care of these requirements. It took several hours but by now I was relaxed and enjoying the atmosphere along with the great people that make this such a wonderful event.


With the week winding down it was time to load the truck and prepare for the “long drive home” but only after taking in the BUB Banquet and a last chance to catch up with some of those that made it all possible. Early Sunday the truck, trailer, bike and myself were heading East in time to watch the sunrise.