Ancient Matters | Daytona World Land Speed Records

* “America is a country that doesn’t know where it is going but is determined to set a speed record getting there.” * –Laurence J. Peter ~*~ * * Circa 1940, Daytona Beach, FL — Postcard showing the famous speed record autos (from top) the Jim White Triplex, Major Henry Segrave’s Mystery S (Sunbeam, also [...]

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Need for Speed | Bonneville Salt Flats Vintage Lithographs

* * Original caption, ca. 1951, Utah, USA — On the Measured 13 Mile Straight-a-way Course, Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah. Roland R. Free, Making a New American Motor-Cycle Record. Roland R. Free, of Los Angeles, Calif., riding a British-Vincent Motor-Cycle in a prone position to cut down wind resistance approximately 2 miles, on Sept. 11, [...]

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Mad Max Bubeck & his Chout | Hell on Hybrid Wheels

* “Mad Max” Bubeck made a name for himself dominating the enduro scene from the 1930s to the 1970s.  Bubeck was also a speed racer & builder who in June of 1948 rode his Indian “Chout” (an Indian Chief 80 c.i. engine jammed into the smaller & lighter Scout frame) to a record speed of [...]

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Live Fast, Ride Free | Roland “Rollie” Free’s 1948 World Speed Record

* Rollie Free made made history aboard a 1948 Vincent HRD V-Twin motorcycle, often referred to as the “Bathing Suit Bike” due to the scant attire of its rider, Roland “Rollie” Free.  John Edgar hired Free to make the attempt at the Bonneville Salt Flats on Sept. 13, 1948. Free initially removed the bike seat and [...]

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