SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (AFP) – A motorcyclist was killed after losing control of his bike at 385 kilometers (239 miles) per hour and crashing on Utah’s famous Bonneville Salt Flats, authorities and reports said Thursday.
The American Motorcyclist Association said in a statement on its website that 49-year-old Cliff Gullett of Montana was killed in an accident during a time trial at the location, around 185 kilometers (115 miles) west of Salt Lake City.
The AMA said Gullett was competing in the 500cc class during a time trial speed racing event when his bike crashed. Reports said Gullett was aiming to set a record for the fastest two-stroke, two-cylinder motorcycle.
The Salt Lake Tribune cited police investigators as saying Gullett was travelling at 239 miles per hour before the crash.
The Bonneville Salt Flats have been used as a speed testing ground since 1896 and became famous in 1935 when British motorsport legend Malcolm Campbell broke the world land speed record at the site.
But damn, how the hell did they get a 500cc bike to those speeds
500cc Two strokes can make considerably more power than modern liter bikes. IIRC, some of the 500cc two stroke GP bikes were north of 250 HP. Combine that with some excellent aero, I would imagine you could see those speeds.
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