Starting Line

This is the starting line for the little motor that could.

Michael beat the old record by more then 3 mph.

They have to make two runs to make the record.

The two way average was 66.433 mph.

If you think that 66 mph not that fast,
they are racing at 4200 feet above sea level in 98 degree temps.
Michael wore his twenty pounds of leather suit for over six hours in those 98 degree temps.

So far, only 19 records have been broken this week,
which makes Michael's run even more special.

He got the record!

He did it! He does not know the mph yet (tech has the numbers), but he made the record. 

There were other motorcycles in his class, and they could try again to beat his record, but he has it now!
This came after tech said he could not wear his helmet or the boots that he brought - 

rule change a few years ago that he was not aware of.

Since there is not a boot or helmet store for 120 miles, it was a frustrating day yesterday.
His friends stepped up and loaned him a pair of boots (a bit small and tight, but worth the pain)

and a helmet. He made the run and is so happy with the results.
 I am so proud and he is so relieved!

Sunrise View

 Michael's view of the sunrise from the Boat Ramp.

The Boat Ramp is the starting point to get to the race course.

This is where he greets and guides the attendees and visitors.

This faces west as the sunrise peeks onto the mountains.

Now if we can just keep him from getting sunburned.

The sunblock was not strong enough today and he already burned the back of his neck.

A different hat will help solve that problem tomorrow.

He is There

Michael made it to Bonneville yesterday afternoon.

Today was check in day and assignment day for volunteers.

Michael is a volunteer at the front gate.

He checked in hundreds of attendees and visitors from all over the world.

Several of them wanted to take pictures of his motorcycle that was in the back of his van.

He could not get them to understand that this was just one little motorcycle.

The steamliners (they go over 400 mph) are already in the pits.

I would have loved to see their reactions when they see the big guys!

Windmill and SR-71A "Blackbird"

Michael had an early morning visit to the Danish Windmill,

then took a break from driving on I-80 today
to visit the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska.

He is in front of the SR-71A "Blackbird."
He loved this museum.

www.https://sacmuseum.org
I saw the original museum 25 years ago when it was still at the Offutt air Force Base.

It was interesting then and I am sure that it is so much better now.
Tomorrow evening, Michael will arrive at Wendover

and start preparing for his record run at Bonneville this weekend.

On the Road Again

The van is packed, the motorcycle is race ready,

and Michael will leave at daylight for his three day trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats.

I will update when I hear from Michael.

Prayers for Michael would be appreciated.

Countdown to Bonneville

Countdown to Bonneville.

On Monday, August 22, Michael will be on his way to the Bonneville Salt Flats

to try for his second motorcycle land speed record.

His first land speed record was in 2010.

Last year, it rained so much at the Salt Flats

that they had to cancel the event just a few weeks prior.

If you want to know what this is all about,

watch "The World's Fastest Indian," starring Anthony Hopkins.

It is the fictionalized true story about Burt Munro.

After Michael and I watched the movie, he decided to try for a record

and the rest is history.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt_Munro