Going Fast

When we automotive types browse the world wide web, we often come across a stack of meaningless and/or obscure claims to fame. One guy might claim he has the fastest manual Commodore in South Australia, and another might say they own the fastest purple-and-orange-striped-non-turbo-pod-filtered-leather-wrapped Skyline in the world.

All credible claims, I’m sure.

But how often do you come across a legitimately impressive claim? I was watching the telly late one night and came across a TV show about salt lake racing, Bonneville in particular. They were following the progress of a lady by the name of Leslie Porterfield, who had entered herself in the over 1000cc Production motorcycle class.

Leslie is no stranger to salt lake racing, having competed in numerous Bonneville Speed Week events, but this time she was determined to go hard or go home, preferably in once piece.

And go hard she did.

During the closing stages of the event, she rode her unfaired, but otherwise stock standard Suzuki Hayabusa to 209MPH (336KPH), backing it up for a second time to set the class record. Not only did that earn her a spot in the Speed Week record books, it also earned her the accolade of being the first woman on a conventional motorcycle to enter the Bonneville 200MPH club.

Subsequent attempts at Speed Week has yielded her two more noteworthy accolades, firstly setting the world record as the fastest woman on any motorcycle at 232MPH (373KPH) and secondly, the Top Speed of the Meet award (man or woman) at 240MPH (386KPH). Needless to say, she isn’t scared to twist the throttle or to push the limits.

Being the fastest person at a Wednesday night Test and Tune is one thing, but being the fastest person in the world is something that requires some serious dedication.

I tip my hat to you Leslie, I really do.