Rider down at 200 MPH (Updated)

[cactusjack]

I found this in one of the Salt Lake newspapers:

BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS — A motorcyclist was killed in a 200 mph crash Wednesday afternoon.

Cliff Gullett, 47, of Bozeman, Mont., was riding in a speed trial when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed on the Salt Flats about 4 p.m., said Tooele County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Duke North.

Gullett was wearing protective gear, but died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Investigators were unsure what caused Gullett to lose control of his motorcycle, North said. The investigation is ongoing.

Here's the story from another source:

Motorcyclist dies in 239 mph crash in Bonneville Salt Flats time trial
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 09/04/2008 02:05:38 PM MDT

Updated: 1:59 PM- A 47-year-old motorcycle racer from Montana died when he lost control and crashed during a time trial on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Tooele County Sheriff's investigators said Cliff Gullett of Bozeman, Mont., was traveling at 239 mph when he crashed Wednesday afternoon. Investigators weren't sure what caused Gullett to lose control of the motorcycle.
The American Motorcyclist Association said on its Web site that Gullett was competing in the 500cc Streamliner class at the Salt Flats, where drivers go for speed records every summer on the smooth, open spaces just east of the Nevada state line.
The AMA also issued a statement on Gullett's death, offering "its most sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the Gullett family and friends during this difficult time."

[chainsaw]

At 200 MPH a thousand things could happen. But that's the chance you take riding that fast.

[cactusjack]

Remember the footage of Evel Knievel getting pitched off his bike on the ramp at Caesar's Palace? You could see bones breaking as he rolled down the ramp, he looked like a rag doll. Imagine what this must have been like. Ugh!

[trip]

At 200MPH his wheels probably became unbalanced, in that they probably wobbled.

[ringadingh]

That musta hurt.

[chainsaw]

I don't think he felt it much.

[dogdoc]

+1, instant.

[glwilson]

It could have been a number of things when going that fast.

I swear I have heard or read something from "riders" trying to break speed records that after a certain speed the bike begins to go the opposite direction than where they "turn" it.

It must have something to do with a change in the aerodynamics/slip-stream around the bike; where the front wheel turns into a "flap" or "aileron" found on an aircraft.

Anyway; these guys surely must realize the risk involved. Not sure what the "payoff" is for doing such a thing. I can't imagine enough to make them rich.

It's all for the glory, and to paraphrase Roger Penske (or maybe it was A.J. Foyt) the fastest way to make a million dollars in racing is to start with 5 million and work backwards.

A wobble at high rates of speed with extremely short handlebars would be very hard to overcome.Those bikes are designed to go fast in a straight line and nothing else.

World's Fastest Indian was a good movie about this very subject.

[cactusjack]

I heard the guy was riding a black Nomad when he crashed. Might just be a rumor, though.

LOL, good one Cactus.

[rksaw]

We do pray for the family and team members though.

[ridemslow]

At least he was on a track, not the Hiway.