TG1820
Expert Class
Posts: 199
|
posted October 25, 2009 05:30 PM
The Texas Mile personal Achievement
We went to the Texas Mile in October 2007 and ran 199.647. Which I guess I should have been happy with as I have always been a drag racer and until 2008 with this bike in Real Street it had been mostly on a car tire wheelie bar top gas type bike. 2007 was my first time at a land speed event and the first time to ride a turbo charged motorcycle of any kind. It was truly amazing! After about 4 passes I really wanted try and get into the 200 mph club there. About the 3/4 mile mark on my 4Th pass I had an oil fitting that had been cracked when the tip over switch was tested in tech, which was my fault for not having the lanyard already on the bike? Anyway it dumped 3 quarts of oil right on the rear tire so kinda coasted/slid through the mile at 199.647 mph. So I left thinking OK I had planned to drag race the bike and this was fun but not for me? Well for 2 years now it has just continued to eat at me. I keep remembering how much fun I had and how wonderful everyone was, so finally I decided I was going back. I did with all I had learned drag racing in Real Street during the 2008 season and was extremely confident I would easily, with what I had learned, be able to run 200,,,, Boy was I wrong! There is a big difference between the two and I had one of the best to set the bike up for me the first time "Terry Kizer". He is great, but being I had thought I had this bike figured out running a best of 8.48 at 172 1/4 mile. I left it the way I had it for the first day Friday. Well it did not handle at all I soon found out with crosswind of 18 mph, gusting up to 30 mph, if I leaned the bike at all it would not hold the track. Though I was able to squeeze a 200.474 my fourth pass on Friday and make the club. I gained a whole new respect for how hard it is to get past that point for a newbie anyway. The first pass Friday I ran 155 and did not think there was anyway I could do 200 with that much cross wind. But I am not one for giving up and there were a few others going just over 200 Friday. So our second pass we ran 177 mph. On our third pass I decided to try and ride it the way you would a car tire back and see how it reacted 188. Then Terry Kizer "Mr Turbo" came to me in the staging lanes, he was already aware of how much trouble I was having with the wind, he told me how they were getting down the track at the speeds the bike he had prepped to break the track record and possible the world LSR record in the standing mile for that weekend. (they went 259.9 breaking the track record and missing the world record by less than 1 mph in not great conditions) First he told me to just run to the half and wait till tomorrow,, then he looked at me and obviously saw I was not going to be able to do that, He then proceeded to coach me on how to do it resulting in a much easier to control pass at 200.474. I still was not able to run it all the way out the back anywhere near full power with 16 pounds of boost!
Later Friday evening Mr Turbo had a Texas cookout that they had for several of the racers and friends.
That evening I got to talk with Shane Stubbs and Joey Whilhite they were quick to point out the way I had my shock setup to drag race was not what I wanted for LSR. Joey and his wife went with me to look at how I had it and explained what I needed to do. I got most of what he told me but he is so much more knowledgeable on how these type of bikes work than I am it is unreal. After he left I made the changes and Shane came up to have me set on it just to see how it reacted to the changes. Well I had it off even worse than I realized so I continued to worked on it until about 1 am Saturday morning. Thinking I had it, I grabbed a few hours sleep and was ready Saturday Morning. The wind had died down and I was feeling really good. Good enough to think maybe I had a shot at being the Fastest ZX14 in the world 233?
So being concerned the wind was going to come back up I decided to go ahead and adjust the waste gate to 17 maybe 18 pounds. Well,,,,,,,, I went a little to far making about 22 pounds of boost with single injectors, no inter-cooler or secondary injectors, well the pistons did not like that being I was mapped for 17 to 18 pounds max! It left the starting line like it meant business and went through the first three gears like I was at the drag strip. When I shifted to fourth gear I know I was on a pass and was already tucked waiting for the shift light to fifth which would be nearing 200. It came on shortly before the 1/2 mile mark and I shifted to fifth at that point I realized I may have went to far on the waste gate?? Actually I knew I had, but I was thinking just 10 more seconds, because I was moving and everything felt perfect otherwise. Then there was just to much heat for the pistons, the shift light had came on for 6Th and I let it rev just a little more just before I pushed the button for 6Th it felt like I hit the kill switch. I knew what had happened, one or more of those wonderful pistons had given its all. I was done! Just got greedy and wanted it to bad. Again it was my fault Terry had told me to put the secondary injectors in just in case I was not satisfied with just getting in the 200 mph club? I had not because of hoping to rules would be adjusted in the drag racing sanction I had raced in so we could become competitive again, but at this point I don't think that is going to happen.
You would think I would realize as much as I love doing this it is better to be prepared and what better person to listen to than Mr Turbo himself?
One of the fastest people I have seen ride street bike has always told me "it only takes a nickel more to do it right!" "H.L.J."
Well I am hooked and ready to start making repairs for March or it may be October again depending on what all I find wrong. This is the way it use to be when I first started drag racing. Just good people, good racing and a love of the sport. Everybody just wants everybody to do the best they can, and setting records would be great but just doing your personal best is rewarding to all. It doesn't matter how you make your power or if you aren't going with the status quo, it is just good racing for all! This is likely why I am finding so many people I have drag raced with and had wondered where they went!
This has been an achievement that I was unsure if I would accomplish and after reflecting on it a little I have to step back and realize that though I felt I should have done better. I had looked at it as anyone could do it, but very few have and even fewer have done it on 2 wheels. When I began looking through the names of those members of the 200 mph club and am very honored to have my name among them.
There is no way I could thank everyone who has supported me, helped me and just told me I could do it, whether they believed it or not. My wife Marceline who has endured my passion or sickness depending how you look at it, My boy's Hunter and Walker, Mr Turbo and so many, many others. Some who are still here to see it and some who have moved on to the greatest race track in the sky.
I just want to say thanks to everyone and I will keep you posted as we began this new part of our passion!
Eric T Williams
1820
P.S. I have attached some pictures and I will have some more better quality pictures to send out sometime next month.
  
|
TG1820
Expert Class
Posts: 199
|
posted October 25, 2009 05:32 PM
|
Flame On
Needs a life
Fuel Air & Spark
Posts: 17104
|
posted October 25, 2009 05:38 PM
Congrats
____________
77 RD 400
80 GS1000 GT
06 ZX14
|
TG1820
Expert Class
Posts: 199
|
posted October 25, 2009 05:42 PM
quote:
Congrats
Thanks, I know it is not all that. But I feel pretty good about it being an old fat guy. Seems the harder you have to work for something the more it means to you!
|
Halvefast
Zone Head
Posts: 806
|
posted October 25, 2009 06:17 PM
Wow! Congrats Eric, saw you running around all weekend but never caught up to you.
I'm glad you posted up how you did, asked around but got nobody who could
tell me anything. Keep in touch, I'd love to help out in anyway I can next event.
____________
Texas Mile 200.256mph - Oct. 2007 (Update 202.577mph Oct 2008) NOS assisted
ECTA Ohio Mile 195.132mph
TexasMile 2012 199.9 mph all motor!
Streetriders Shootout 2008 series Pro/ET Champ!
Streetriders Shootout 2007 Series Pro/ET Runner-up!
|
INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
|
posted October 25, 2009 06:23 PM
Very cool story ! Oil on the rear tire at almost 200mph you're a friggen mad man lol!
Glad to hear that all went well and you are in the club.
I'm looking to join the 200 mph club officially soon . But soon isn't soon enough ! I'm planning to do it next year.
I won't be setting any records but it should be fun fun fun. I have respect for the guys that do this stuff for more than fun.
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
|
Flame On
Needs a life
Fuel Air & Spark
Posts: 17104
|
posted October 25, 2009 06:43 PM
I meat the guy in your picture black jacket at cooks corner CA he also pulled it off for the first time on his Busa he put a lot into it to do it under a mile
____________
77 RD 400
80 GS1000 GT
06 ZX14
|
INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
|
posted October 25, 2009 06:47 PM
Cool ! We should do it next year!
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
|
Flame On
Needs a life
Fuel Air & Spark
Posts: 17104
|
posted October 25, 2009 06:55 PM
Takes some serious mods to do it under a mile
____________
77 RD 400
80 GS1000 GT
06 ZX14
|
TG1820
Expert Class
Posts: 199
|
posted October 25, 2009 06:58 PM
quote:
Wow! Congrats Eric, saw you running around all weekend but never caught up to you.
I'm glad you posted up how you did, asked around but got nobody who could
tell me anything. Keep in touch, I'd love to help out in anyway I can next event.
I meant to try and find you but after this happened I got loaded up to head back to Indiana my boys had to be back at school Monday it was thier fall break. I know I had a twenty hour plus drive and I was done. Hopefully I will see you in March!
|
TG1820
Expert Class
Posts: 199
|
posted October 25, 2009 07:06 PM
quote:
Very cool story ! Oil on the rear tire at almost 200mph you're a friggen mad man lol!
Glad to hear that all went well and you are in the club.
I'm looking to join the 200 mph club officially soon . But soon isn't soon enough ! I'm planning to do it next year.
I won't be setting any records but it should be fun fun fun. I have respect for the guys that do this stuff for more than fun.
I was lucky but had it been my time it would have been, so I just stayed calm and did what I had done before. I was not my first time to oil down the Tires. Many years ago I did it on a car tire bike with a few rods hangin out the front at about 155. My buddy was waiting on me at the turn off and I remember him saying "why are your shoes smoking?" I looked down and saw where I had been sliding my feet trying to stop, because it had got the front tire also, and when I got on the breaks,, well it was like trying to stop on ice. You know no one even knew I hurt it. I just loaded it up and told them I was done testing. My ego was a little bigger then and after that I realized if it was my time it was my time.Ii just had to do what I knew and stayed calm.
|
TG1820
Expert Class
Posts: 199
|
posted October 25, 2009 07:09 PM
quote:
I meat the guy in your picture black jacket at cooks corner CA he also pulled it off for the first time on his Busa he put a lot into it to do it under a mile
Ya you can see it in his eyes! That is one of my favorite pictures,just because of that. It means even more being he did it and it was his first time. If he would like to have a copy of that picture let me know where to send it.
|
INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
|
posted October 25, 2009 07:17 PM
quote:
Takes some serious mods to do it under a mile
I wouldn't try it under a mile , I would do it at that place that John noonan races at on that lake bed.
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
|
Flame On
Needs a life
Fuel Air & Spark
Posts: 17104
|
posted October 25, 2009 07:21 PM
You might do it geared up & strapped in a mile & 1/2 maybe
____________
77 RD 400
80 GS1000 GT
06 ZX14
|
TG1820
Expert Class
Posts: 199
|
posted October 25, 2009 07:25 PM
quote:
Takes some serious mods to do it under a mile
You know Halvefast did it with very little mods at all on his 14! He is the man in my book!
When I came back from doing it on Friday everyone was so excitied and I was a little dis-heartened that I had not done better with the power I was making. Because I knew I had not done it justice. My wife ask me later why I did not say much,,,, Now remember before I say this I no longer have the ego I use to have,,, I was afraid I was going to cry and someone was going to see it?
|
INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
|
posted October 25, 2009 07:39 PM
quote:
quote:
Takes some serious mods to do it under a mile
You know Halvefast did it with very little mods at all on his 14! He is the man in my book!
When I came back from doing it on Friday everyone was so excitied and I was a little dis-heartened that I had not done better with the power I was making. Because I knew I had not done it justice. My wife ask me later why I did not say much,,,, Now remember before I say this I no longer have the ego I use to have,,, I was afraid I was going to cry and someone was going to see it?
Awesome experience I can't wait to try it. +1 on doing it on few mods too!
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
|
Flame On
Needs a life
Fuel Air & Spark
Posts: 17104
|
posted October 25, 2009 07:45 PM
The mods I have heard is ceramic bearing , Air shifter, speedo override, pipe maping, straps lower links , tires , stabilizer. that would be a lot for me
____________
77 RD 400
80 GS1000 GT
06 ZX14
|
INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
|
posted October 25, 2009 07:48 PM
Brock did it with less than that.
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
|
Flame On
Needs a life
Fuel Air & Spark
Posts: 17104
|
posted October 25, 2009 07:53 PM
in under a mile ?
____________
77 RD 400
80 GS1000 GT
06 ZX14
|
TG1820
Expert Class
Posts: 199
|
posted October 25, 2009 08:02 PM
quote:
Brock did it with less than that.
Brock advised me on how to set my shock up before I went to the mile. Nothing against him but I would put my money on Halvefast when on a equal playing field for the least amount of mods. He is just more modist. Just my 2 cents and I have never been known not to say what I believe to be true!
|
INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
|
posted October 25, 2009 08:06 PM
 Edited By: INTIMIDA2OR on 26 Oct 2009 04:07
quote:
in under a mile ?
We're talking Mile stuff not 1/4 mile. Huge differences !
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
|
INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
|
posted October 25, 2009 08:12 PM
quote:
quote:
Brock did it with less than that.
Brock advised me on how to set my shock up before I went to the mile. Nothing against him but I would put my money on Halvefast when on a equal playing field for the least amount of mods. He is just more modist. Just my 2 cents and I have never been known not to say what I believe to be true!
Yeah that's right Halvefast did have really really low amount of mods done. Well this is a 14 after all right lol!
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
|
zxbob
Pro
Posts: 1692
|
posted October 25, 2009 08:18 PM
Congrats there Eric . . . . .
Untill people have tried an event like this, its hard to explain the speed, whats going thru your mind while your doing this and, I know for me, I was at WOT and kept thinking "where's
the finish line" the pull kept getting more and more violent, but what a rush !
It aint easy going over 200 mph - then ..... when your doing it you wonder "why"
Bob
____________
Good parts aint cheap and cheap parts aint good !
|
INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
|
posted October 25, 2009 08:22 PM
quote:
Congrats there Eric . . . . .
Untill people have tried an event like this, its hard to explain the speed, whats going thru your mind while your doing this and, I know for me, I was at WOT and kept thinking "where's
the finish line" the pull kept getting more and more violent, but what a rush !
It aint easy going over 200 mph - then ..... when your doing it you wonder "why"
Bob
Mmm sounds like the stuff dreams are made of. Then you realize hey I own one of those machines lol.
Great stuff!
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
|
INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
|
posted October 25, 2009 08:23 PM
quote:
Congrats there Eric . . . . .
Untill people have tried an event like this, its hard to explain the speed, whats going thru your mind while your doing this and, I know for me, I was at WOT and kept thinking "where's
the finish line" the pull kept getting more and more violent, but what a rush !
It aint easy going over 200 mph - then ..... when your doing it you wonder "why"
Bob
Mmm sounds like the stuff dreams are made of. Then you realize hey I own one of those machines lol.
Great stuff!
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC