In the Footsteps of Bert Munro

The World's Fastest Lady

 

New Salt Lake Land Speed Record

Ex Tauranga local and former Motorcycle Club member Mike Riddell (right) and his mechanic Don Kidd set a new record at the 2010 Land Speed Record Week held last month on Lake Gairdner, the famous salt lake in South Australia.  The record is for the Postie Bike CT110 class and was established on an all original, lovingly cherished Postie bike called “Dorothy”.

Dorothy has, like many females, had a few bits and pieces cosmetically and structurally enhanced. This has included massive head work, a bespoke camshaft, a 32% increase in air flow, different electronics, slightly bigger carb and jets and a cylinder bored out to 117.5cc. All this combined with a balanced crank, a tuned exhaust and a touch of racing fuel has created one fast lady.

Her official record is 73.457 mph (118.22km/hr) with a top speed of 76.0mph (122km/hr) at 12,000 rpm.

“Everyone loved Dorothy”, says Mike happily, “and we did it, we got the record. We were hoping for 80mph and would have been a bit faster but there was this brisk headwind”.

“And”, he adds as he gently wipes a touch of moisture off Dorothy’s cherry red guard, “I can also definitely confirm that Dorothy will be back again next year sporting a fairing and hopefully a little bottle of Riddell No. 90mph”.

“See ya at the Salt in 2011”

You can check out the other records set at Lake Gairdner and the dates of future events on the Dry Lakes Racers website www.dlra.org.au