FIM World Speed Trials Australia Set to Kick Off

Anticipation and expectation are high at South Australia’s Lake Gairdner, where land-speed racers are preparing to go for world records at the World Speed Trials Australia promoted by Ruedi Steck of Swiss Performance. The 2018 event marks the first-ever FIM world record land-speed event to take place at Australia’s famous salt flats, drawing competitors from around the world seeking a chance to etch their names in the world record books.

Through the cooperation of the DLRA (Dry Lake Racers Australia), the World Speed Trials Australia is taking place immediately following the 2018 DLRA Speed Week. Many competitors took advantage of the back-to-back format, using the annual DLRA Speed Week, which concluded Friday, 15 March, to prepare for their world record attempts, starting Saturday, 17 March.

One such racer is Valerie Thompson from the United States. She and the Team 7 Racing streamliner are feature competitors at the World Speed Trials Australia, aiming to set a new all-time two-wheel land-speed record (currently 605.697km/h, 376.363 mph). Conditions have been ideal at Lake Gairdner, where Thompson reportedly put in runs of over 515 km/h (320 mph) at the national event, setting the scene for a solid world-record attempt.

World-record attempts will be made in many FIM classes, with competitors ranging all the way to 125cc. David Plecas of Australia is seeking to make history aboard his turbo-charged Honda CT110 – a vehicle typically used by the Australian post, but in Plecas’ case, turbo-charged. “It’s probably the world’s slowest bike so there’s a bit of irony; a bit of humor there,” Plecas said with a smile.

An extraordinary entry comes from Ben Felten of Australia, a land-speed competitor who is totally blind. Felten is racing his Kawasaki ZX-10R with the aide of support rider Kevin Magee, who will ride behind Felten and maintain radio contact with him. For Felten, this attempt brings the possibility of realizing a childhood dream, one he thought had deteriorated with his vision many years ago.

“When I was a seven-year-old boy, my dream was to race motorcycles at the highest level,” said Felten. “That was always my ambition, as long as I can remember. But at 25 [years of age] my eyesight started deteriorating and I gave up riding and driving. To be able to ride motorcycles again is just the greatest, most empowering thing. For me to ride a motorbike now is just the greatest gift I thought I’d never have the opportunity to experience.”

Felten is aiming to reach a speed of 270km/h (167.77 mph)—a goal he already surpassed in non-official runs. For more on Felten and his remarkable story, visit www.blindspeed.com.au.

World-record attempts begin Saturday 17 March and run through 19 March. 

FIM Communications