ECTA Land Speed Racing at the Ohio Mile

Mmmm, the smell of high octane racing fuel and nitrous - the sound of straight pipes and spinning tires - the sight of 175 vehicles line up to do one thing: go as fast as as possible without blowing up. Land Speed Racing brings out all the gear heads who want to see exactly what the limitations of their motors are. Sometimes records are set while other times motors give up the ghost.  Either way, the determination to get just little more horse power only builds.

I was presented with an incredible opportunity this fall. Leon Stanley from Badger Corse invited yours truly to pilot his Royal Enfield down the runway at the East Coast Timing Association event in Wilmington Ohio. LSR is something I've dreamed of doing ever since I was a kid and saw that picture of Rollie Free riding his Vincent at Bonneville. Leons Enfield is a heavily worked 500cc single that has  campaigned in road racing, flat tracking and most recently, speed trials. Best of all, when it's not in one of it's various race forms, the "badger" as leon calls his bike, serves as a daily rider. I am thrilled to be apart of this project - but I can't give too much away as there will be a video online soon, documenting the bikes journey. In the mean time, here are some visuals from the race.

Altered and partially stream lined.

The "Badger"

one mile to get to the speed trap.

Harley side valve. Look closely...

Formula 1

Hot Rod that once competed at La Carrera 

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Matt from Big Sids working on his Rapide

It's easy to see how this hobby can become an obsession. Every record is there for the taking - if you can figure out a way to get just a few more RPM's...That is until someone else gets a few more on you. Then it starts all over again. Vicious cycle, see?

Smoke and Throttle joins Team Badger

It is my great pleasure to announce that I will be piloting (hopefully not crashing) my friend Leon, from Cycle Icons Royal Enfield "Badger" at the upcoming ECTA Ohio Mile this September 29th and 30th. The East Coast Timing Association runs Land Speed Racing events on an old runway - we will be running 4 classes both fuel and gas in the partial streamlined and un-faired categories.

The Badger in it's original street trim.

The badger project is the brainchild of Leon Stanley, of Trenton NJ. The original concept was to take an old left over parts bike and hot-rod it for racing, yet make it street legal. In theory you could ride it to the track, race it and ride it home - just like guys did back in the 50's. A cool concept in my opinion, though back in the 50's guys were racing local tracks against other bikes of the same era. In this day and age, in order to compete in a vintage race you may need to travel 800 miles or more if you live on the east coast. Not an easy feat. Reality set in on the Badgers maiden voyage to Ohio. Riding the Enfield out the PA turnpike was grueling. The bikes concept shifted to an all around bike that could be raced in all categories of vintage competition, while remaining a daily rider in the interim. 

Badger 2.0 ready to flat track.

No a Royal Enfield is not known for speed. So making the 22hp motor move the 370lb bike a little faster is a challenge in it's self. Leon has found a lot of horse power in the machine by porting and flowing the head, increasing the compression and generally tweaking EVERYTHING that spins.

A recent version of the ever evolving Badger.

It's mission is always changing. The result? A lot of fun.

Mods Vs Rockers, Philadelphia PA

Never much for themed get-togethers, however the Mods -V- Rockers events have been successful at bringing the scooter and motorcycle worlds together - and when it comes to geeking out on old vehicles, I like 'em all. Put vintage scooters and cycles together and I'm interested. No, there were no fights, sadly.

Big Bear, Palm Springs run 2012

Work and life can get crazy at times. So crazy that it's easy to forget the basic things in life that bring us pleasure. Like riding a motorcycle across the desert and through the mountains with a friend on a long, hot weekend...

Sorting the Triumph at Skratch's Garage.

Matt fueling up

outta LA!

Fiberglass dinosaurs

Ace Hotel in Palm Springs

Lunchtime at the Ace Hotel

Burned a hole through my jeans. Damn high pipes.

Wind power

Train delay.

detour around the tracks

bike broke down on the side of the highway...

on the way to big bear.

Big Bear cabin.

Checking out.

Burnouts in the sand.

on the edge of the San Berdnadino Forest

San Bernadino Forest

Checking the map.

Arriving safely back in LA

Lots more to come, stay tuned.

Gary Nixon estate sale, York PA.

It was a bittersweet final goodbye to late Hall of Famer, Gary Nixon as Bob Sholly (former racer and close friend of Gary) auctioned Nixon's estate to help Garys widow and children. While the loss of the legend is still an open wound for those who were close to the famed motorcycle racer, the sale itself was a rather joyful gathering of enthusiasts, fans and friends - who told tales (some taller than others) and remembered the legacy of number nine through the motorcycles, photographs and personal artifacts that were offered to the public on this warm June morning. 

Three Triumphs were the highlight of the event - two cubs and a tr25, all built by the man himself and all with racing pedigree and trophies/photos to back it up. All three ended up going to an unknown absentee bidder, though rumors of the bikes reemerging in another auction later this year have already begun to circulate. 

Much more than an estate sale, this was a final retrospective - an exhibit of Nixons racing career and a unparalleled peek into the private collection of the late-great hero. R.I.P. Gary.