September 11, 2009 - Leslie comments on the BUB Speed Trials
After attending the AMA Women in Motorcycling conference, I set out for the BUB Speed Trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
The first several days were met with challenges. It had rained recently, and the salt was loose and damp. It was extremely difficult to get traction.
As the days passed, the salt got better, but not great. I made several runs on the Turbocharged Hayabusa over the next few days, but ran into issues on each run. I battled some handling issues, had a lot of wheelspin, overheating issues, caught my exhaust on fire, lost a clutch lever at 220mph, and had my air filter fly off. I received a scolding and a fine for leaving parts on the track!
The very last day of the meet, which shuts down at 3pm, I made a pass at an average speed through the mile of 240mph on a record of 227mph that was held by Richard Assen and the A-Ward team from New Zealand. My return pass for the record was clocked at 228mph, setting the record for the Altered Partially Streamlined Blown Fuel 1350cc class at 234mph! With only minutes to spare, Richard Assen set out to claim his record back successfully. With two passes in the 230's he averaged 236mph for the record.
With my one way pass of 240mph, I held the top speed of the meet on a sit on motorcycle, and was given the Top Time Award. This is the first time in history a woman has achieved this award at any meet!
It was a long and exhausting week, but absolutely incredible! I still maintain both my 2000cc record at 232mph, and my 1000cc production record at 192mph as well.
The first several days were met with challenges. It had rained recently, and the salt was loose and damp. It was extremely difficult to get traction.
As the days passed, the salt got better, but not great. I made several runs on the Turbocharged Hayabusa over the next few days, but ran into issues on each run. I battled some handling issues, had a lot of wheelspin, overheating issues, caught my exhaust on fire, lost a clutch lever at 220mph, and had my air filter fly off. I received a scolding and a fine for leaving parts on the track!
The very last day of the meet, which shuts down at 3pm, I made a pass at an average speed through the mile of 240mph on a record of 227mph that was held by Richard Assen and the A-Ward team from New Zealand. My return pass for the record was clocked at 228mph, setting the record for the Altered Partially Streamlined Blown Fuel 1350cc class at 234mph! With only minutes to spare, Richard Assen set out to claim his record back successfully. With two passes in the 230's he averaged 236mph for the record.
With my one way pass of 240mph, I held the top speed of the meet on a sit on motorcycle, and was given the Top Time Award. This is the first time in history a woman has achieved this award at any meet!
It was a long and exhausting week, but absolutely incredible! I still maintain both my 2000cc record at 232mph, and my 1000cc production record at 192mph as well.