In 2007 we were invited to attempt 200mph on the main straight at snetterton during the luch break of the BSB round this is the story of that day ...
RIDING WITH THE GODS OF SPEED
Picture the scene early Sunday morning the penultimate weekend in may. The hordes of Roundy round fans gathered to pay homage to there Gods of speed at the cathedral of performance that is Snetterton . The BSB boys are in town and theirs going to be a showdown ,but wait for amongst the thousands stand three hired guns three gladiators of straight line speed WOODY-HEADER -PASO Three turbocharged steeds with a combined output of close to fifteen hundred horse power wait in the pit’s the early morning sun glinting on there highly polished flanks waiting for there call to the gladiatorial pit that is the revett straight .
Now hang on a minute how did we get to be part of such a high profile event……Well actually it’s the Bishops fault, Trevor Duckworth that icon of sprinting and head honcho of straight liners . Trev had been asked by the management of motorsport vision to arrange an attempt to run 200mph on the Revett straight ,it is after all the fastest straight in circuit racing in the united kingdom the BSB boys on there annual pilgrimage to the track have been claiming speeds approaching 190 mph by mid straight , the speed track record is held by one Shakey Byrne at 179 mph in 2006 alas this was on his backside sliding through the speed trap……..Trevor asked for volunteers via the 2000mph.org forum so I been game for a laugh and after 33 years competing in speed events usually up for anything applied. I was however agreeably surprised and very proud to be chosen to take part along with Phil Wood and Andy Head . Now both Woody and Header have serious top speed credentials the former having run 227mph at a 200mph judgement day event and off course is a many times straight liners champion Andy having competed for many years with 200mph.org at JD events running a best in excess of 245mph.So what was I doing there my best at a JD event been an unofficial 201mph it must have been my low 9second passes at Weston zoyland, somersets premier dragstrip the Bish knows what the shutdown is like there …after all there isn’t much braking distance at the end of revett AGGGHHHHH what had I got into oh dear I didn’t know stomach butterflies could grow this big …..
Saturday the 19th of may dawned and team PASO made an early start from our chipping sodbury base Jules the love of my life and crew chief ,and Dave pit bitch to the stars tucked up in the back of the C5 Arriving at setter we were greeted by woody and sarah along with the infamous Miff top sidekick to woody .Mr Header arrived a little later with his lovely lady Helen
We were pitted at the back of the main paddock adjacent to the industrial units and spent the rest of the afternoon answering questions from the public about the bikes woody did an interview for the local TV he had already done a wild practice run on Friday which had been broadcast so had become a celebrity . All three of us were interviewed for a slot on the local radio. After the circuit practice finished we got to walk the revett straight to see what we were up against and thankfully my butterflies reduced considerably the braking area didn’t look so intimidating now especially as the circuit staff had moved the tyre wall. The evening drew on so we retired to our Hotel in Norwich leaving the youngsters to kip in there vans Paso doesn’t do camping …………
Sunday morning dawned very bright and clear saw us back at the track where streams of people despite the early hour were making there way in the place was heaving WOW .
Shakey byrne scootered by thumbs up as he passed ,Stalker walker strolled by neck turning to look at me working on the PasoBusa . Time passed very quickly with loads of people calling by to ask questions about the bikes. Before we knew it we were been called to do our stuff…………. We had been told that we had about a 40 miute slot for the attempt this to include setting up the speed trap etc .The ride down through the pit area I will remember for a long time I just couldn’t belive all the people taking pictures and giving us the thumbs up .And so the moment arrived .
The hired guns two suzis and a kwack waited at the start of the straight Woody that demon rider of straight liners fame Miff his faithful aide at his side fired up the mighty turbo smoke billowed from his burnout the air was torn apart as he disappeared over the horizon , moments past the radio crackled 192mph ……the crowd went wild woody showboating on the back wheel as he came back. Next up was header hunkered low on his green meanie clad in green leathers ..187 was the call
Next up was Paso but a poor burnout and a missed shift only led to 151 through the traps
Run 2 The woodster fled off the line much quicker than before ..195 was the call you could hear the cheering from the start line
Header ran again But gremlins struck a head gasket blew but still over 190
Paso embarrassed by his poor first run threw the bike of the line and …………191.5 Bloody hell really 191 in 600metres hey theirs life I the old dog yet .
Time was running short but the baying crowd wanted more up to the Plate stepped WOODY ……leaning of the bike to keep it straight …. ……………………..AND WAIT FOR IT 205.5 MPH The crowd went mad .
Back at the start line a call came through on the radio Johnathan Palmer former F1 star and track owner requested we do a lap of honour back to the paddock , the crowd apparently were well geed up Unfortunately andys bike wasn’t fit to run so phil and I with camera car in attendance rode around the track the clapping and cheering and at the BOMBHOLE THE MEXICAN WAVE WAS AMAZING It didn’t stop when we got back to the pits autograph hunters were out in force and many photos of the bikes and us were taken . The funniest moment came when I had taken my leathers off a guy about 30 came over and said “This bikes awesome where is the rider I would like to shake his hand “ I stretched out my hand chest puffed out in pride the look on my fans face was a picture you he said “It cant be your to old to ride that” ………………….
Thanks must go to all at motorsport vision for there hospitality over the weekend , and a very big thanks to ian and sean from the straight liners timing crew as well as off course Trevor who pulled it all together and gave us the opportunity to mix it with the big boys .
Oh by the way the fastest speed trap time by a BSB rider over the weekend was set by Leon Haslam at 177mph
MOVE OVER SLOW BOY
2008 Best result so far has been the VMCC meet at wroughton in june where i took top speed of the meet ... 151 MPH
SANTA POD TEST DAY 30/07/08 What a great day thanks to my good friend mr copperhead my bike now sports an ams boost controller and with a complete new set up she was really flying. Throughout the day the ETs dropped resulting in a best of 9.0 ..the 8s are now just a small step away... Best of all CH riding my bike ran a best of 8.8 @160MPH ROLL ON THE NEXT MEETING ..
OPEN SPORTS NATIONALS (shakespere county raceway) 23/24/25 AUGUST 08 Well i was really looking forward to this meeting saturday saw us run 3 qualifiers with a couple of runs in the 9.3 bracket and then a 9.6 with a huge second gear wheelie ..sunday saw best time of the weekend a 9.11 @ 159.2 mph ..Then i was told we had to re run as the Tree hadnt run properly what a disaster i fouled on the start pulling a red light ..Monday and into eliminations as second slowest qualifier i had drawm Rick Stubbins ..again my trigger fingers let me down and another red light ....Rick went on to win the SSB class . so a mixed weekend but we learned a lot roll on the next event..
SMEATHARPE NSA SPRINT 31AUGUST 08
This event saw the unveiling of Rouge et Noir 2 which ran without too many problems for a first shakedown I lost the oil filler cap on the first run and on the second an o ring in the blow off valve broke, total of 4 runs all very slow but we were only there to check the engine ran ok. she ran straight and the brakes worked. more soon ...Check out Steve saffins great pics on the NSA website .. http://www.sprinting.org.uk/gallery/nsagallery%20smeatharpe%2031-08-08.htm
BRIGHTON FROSTS NATIONAL SPEED TRIALS 2008
After weeks of rain saturday 13th september dawned bright and clear and the LCR team found themselves once again on Brighton sea front. This really has to be the best event in the 1/4mile calender. To be invited to take part by the VMMCC sprint section is indeed a privalge. So to practise a mid 10 was the order of the day but the bike felt very out off shape on the top end so hopefully more to come on the first competative run. Back to the pits for fettling of the suspension which was raised at the front to take care of the bumps. Run 1 felt much better but disapointingly only a 10.4 with a low terminal speed. More aggression says my crew chief, ok will do on the next and last run . Run 2 longer burn out more grip hopefully ..but sadly not to be 3 wheelies robbed me of a place in the top six run off with once again a 10.41 disapointing to say the least especially after last years best of 9.95. But hey what ever its a fantastic day the crowd are superb and all in all a cracking day ..and off course theres always next year if we are invited back. Pics in the gallery. And see video links section...
NSA 50TH ANNIVERSERY AT SANTA POD 19TH /10/08
What a meeting lots of the old names from the past,So many people to talk to so little time ,only made one run on Rouge et Noir 2 and on that managed to kick her out of gear just off the line and then the up pipe blew off but we made it to the end and i rode her back to the pits. One of the best moments for me was when i staged in the other lane to one of my other Heros from the 70s Dennis STORMIN Norman unfortunately den left a little early and his chain came off so my run was aborted before i ran . On the next run i was actually pitted against my own Turbo busa in the other lane with steve riding it needless to say they got to the stripe first ........
Classic bikes at the Classic car show 14/15/16th November 2008
Rouge et Noir was on display at the NEC for the 3 days of the show we met lots of people who remembered her. Take a look at the Rouge et Noir gallery for pictures from the show
Bristol classic bike show at shepton mallet 14th/15th febuary 2009
Rouge et Noir was part of the NSA stand we ran her outside on three occasions during the 2 days check out the picture (thanks to Terry Morgan) in the Rouge gallery.
Streetfighters magazine April issue
Has a great article about Keith Parnell with a pic of ReN 2 .
NSA AT SHAKESPERE COUNTY RACEWAY 4TH APRIL 2009
Well what a great event lots of personal bests for the riders who entered,only negative side was that the entry was very low. No excuses guys that your bikes werent finished etc i Boorowed a stock Buell which ran 12.85 et . Really enjoyed it thanks to dave for the loan. next NSA event is Keevil on the 26th April where Rouge et Noir will be out ....
NSA AT KEEVIL 26TH APRIL 2009
Although a little overcast the day stayed dry for REN 2s first outing of the year. First run was dismal to say the least....a bog of the line and strange handling as well even at the lowly speed i was running so back to the pits for a quick carb strip down ....lots of gummy corrosion been the order of the day rebuilt with advice from peter of Black Dragon motorcycles and she sounded much crisper..Removed the second steering damper to see if this improved the odd steering. Second run not as bad as the first but still not leaving the line as she should and i knocked her into second which didnt help More alarming was the handling which was worse than before weaving all over the place ...Back to the pits where we diagnosed the problem front end just not self centring properly so a strip down is in order before we are out again in a few weeks time at SCR. I finished the day with 5 runs on daves road going Buell what a great bike that is once again thanks dave.
Wednesday the 29th april Classic bike magazine in the shops and a small piece about Ren and me by mick duckworth Great ..
Tuesday 23/06/09
Well i think its time for an update Keith Parnells tribute sprint was over the weekend of 20/21st of june and what an event it was with Keith coming out as FTD we presented him with a copy of crazy Horses the history of british drag racing signed by all the NSA members in attendance lots of pics soon in the gallery. The weekend before i was lucky enough to crew for no less a celebrity than Walter Sprout the AMA prostreet no 2 who flew in from Florida for the Santa pod summer nats, riding steve meads super street bike he made it to the semi finals but it wasnt to be a Fairy tale ride as the bike dropped out of gear on the line against Steve Venables the uks no1 ssb rider BUT WHAT A WEEKEND pics in the gallery ..
LCRs next meeting is the festival of 1000 bikes at Mallory park on the 11th/12th july . with REN 2
And what an event it was two days of Nostalgia heaven. We even had breakfast at the hotel next to Jim Redman Hondas world champion from the 1960s ...The weather on the saturday was mostly drizzle but for the actual sprint Demo the sun was shining ..First run for us was not good however with the starter moter switch burning out on the line A quick search of the Autojumble turned up an old brit horn button ..so ReN was ready for action at the later session and yes she ran nearly like a top i was grinning all the way back up the pit lane crikey it was a long push....... Pics in the new gallery ....
22/07/09
Finally The Busa returns in her new clothes take a look at the pics in the Gallery. Updates shortly on what HP figures she produces with her new Dave Beck racing motor ......The motor has been on loan for a few weeks and last time out ran a best of 8.14 ......not to shabby ..
SCR HOTRODS DRAGS 19th20th september.
Rouge et Noir 2 was on static display for this great car event ..we made lots of new friends with the car people and had a great weekend thanks to the SCR crew for invting us.
End of season 2009
Ran the Busa at NSA kevill as a shakedown but couldnt get out of the 10 second bracket following weekend we were at Brighton for the speed trials where it became clear that the bike seemed to have gear selection issues when going into second. Finally we went to Shakespere county race way for the NSA 2 day bash with high hopes it was just gearlinkage issues Unfortunately it wasnt and now it would seem that the problem is the Kill box for the airshift.Hopefully we will have it sorted for the end of saeson NSA do at Weston zoyland on 17th/18th october.
well thats all for the 2009 season . And what for 2010 well we will be racing yet again with the NSA But not with the Hayabusa .....watch the site for details....
National sprint association 4th/5th April 2010 Shakespere county raceway.
Easter sunday and monday saw us out on the Parny express for our first meet of the season.
Typical bank holiday weather with a late start due to water seeping through the track surface My god the Track crew worked there hearts out to get things going well done to all.
First tentative run resulted in a slow 11.2 but over the course of the afternoon managed to whittle the times down to a 10.26 Naturally aspirated and ran a high terminal speed 146mph.
Very encouraged by this i decided to try gas on the first run on sunday...and a 9.80 run resulted (60foot time very poor ) second run was Yippee a 9.60.. 60foot still not what it should be. Did 2 further runs 9.67 & 9.99 due to it been a very cold day we decided on an early trip home .Very satisfied with how far we had gone in just a few passes.Many Thanks to Keith for all his telephone help. Hopefully at the next Meet at RAF Keevil on 25th april he will be joining us.
Anyway next stop Honnington for the UKLSRA Flyers meet next sunday...
What a great day at Honnigton well done to all involved for putting on a great meeting. And what of team LCR and the PARNY EXPRESS well a best of 191.18 MPH in the mile i was actually well pleased my crew chief mr Parnell was on the phone to aid me during the day... we would have gone a lot faster but i cocked up in not putting more weight on the clutch arms !!!!! anyway roll on the next LSR association meeting 200mph here we come.
NSA KEEVIL 25TH APRIL
Keith came to help us and copperhead was on hand with advice day started dry but was curtailed early due to a very heavy rainstorm.But what an enjoyable day best time 9.78 best terminal 147 mph Terminal was good enough for 3rd in class 9 unlimited racing.........terminal was top speed off day head wind gave a lot off people trouble during the day. so roll on Weston zoyland on 8/9th may ...Keith steve thanks for all your help.
WESTON ZOYLAND 8th/9th MAY
It looked as if we were going to have a wet weekend ..saturday was very cold with a damp track..the unlimited racing class seemed to want to keep there bikes under cover...but just after lunch a couple of riders were seen watching the start line ..Tony Daveridge went to the line and ran a high 9 ..dave batchelor was to follow ..and i thought i would venture out only resulting in a low 10 with too much wheel spin.......all the unlimited bikes retired to there pits hoping for a better day on sunday.
Sunday dawned VERY VERY COLD but DRY...ish ....Mr PARNELL ARRIVED Great now i knew i was in for a good day ...start time was 12 oclock out i went.... huge wheelspin off the line but 150plus terminal low ten second run...to cut a long story short i eventually ....went 9.80 with 157 term than a 9.55 with 151 then 9.58...and then on my 7th run ...only first 6 count i went 9.34 Yipeeeeeeee a change of tyre ensued BUT hard launch off line resulted in the slick gripping like no street tyre before and Bugger chain off at about 100ft out ....anyway no damage apart from wrecked sprocket so now we look forward to our next event SCR ON 12TH/13TH JUNE I CANT WAIT ....
SCR 12TH/13TH JUNE
And so it was team LCR went to shakey Keith was in attendance on saturday and part of sunday. The NSA presented Keith with a life time achivement award the high light of the weekend. With highs of course sometimes you get lows and sad to tell the sunday wasnt a good day for us. On its first run the PE seemed to be slowing for some reason (on saturday we had run a 9.54 but with a strangely low terminal). I took the clutch cover off to reveal bits of shell....oh dear so we are out for a few weeks for repairs.
WESTON ZOYLAND 3/4TH JULY
A great weekend for Rouge et noir 2 best runs we have ever done thanks mostly to the help given to me by KP on the saturday. All this as a shake down for the VMCC FESTIVAL OFF A 1000 BIKES SPRINT DEMO at mallory the following weekend ...Take a look at the gallery for some pics which give a real flavour of a great weekend.
Mallory park festival of a 1000 bikes & Silverstone classic 2010.
We were kindly invited to participate in both these great events with Rouge et Noir 2 both weekends were fantastic thanks to all concerned.
Sorry to say i have been slow to update this page in 2010 hopefully 2011 will see an improvment ...
