Day 1 out here brought us great shake down runs as reported yesterday, and we’re pleased to announce that day 2 went equally as well for Team Klock Werks. Today two of our girls got their records, and the other two completed safe passes, working out the bugs to hopefully follow suit with records.
Erika had to beat 122.319 mph to get a record in her class. On her first pass today, she clocked a speed of over 130 mph! That qualified her, so she was sent out to do a return. She backed it up over 127 mph for an average on the books of 128! (Your record is an average of 2 successful passes, one qualifying, one to back it up) You go girl! Funnier than seeing her mom jumping up and down at the report of the speed was seeing Tom Anderson, aka “Santa Claus”, sweat it out and also, literally, jump up and down when he heard. Santa is the owner of the bike she’s racing. She did great! Of course she’s ready to get back in line tomorrow and try to better it, but its set on day 2!
Michelle Mielke, wife of our own Big Joe Mielke, was riding in an open class with her Yamaha V-Star 650 and today she set a record as well! She completed her qualifying run and then successfully backed it up, with an average of 97 mph for a new record in the class. She was back in line this afternoon with us. For the rest of the week she can run to better her own times, if she wishes. Pretty great for her first time out. She and Joe were making some modifications to her bike this afternoon and she’s anxious to try them tomorrow. And their daughter Tiadra was zipping around on her dirt bike, shifting into 2nd and 3rd for the first time today. She’s 11 and is out here with us too.
Karlee had 2 successful passes today over 100 MPH, just shy of the 101.365 that she needs to qualify. She had some shifting issues, but just give this girl a challenge and you will learn quickly that she is determined and does not give up easily. She was working with the guys to determine the best way to shift to get the most out of the way the Buell Blast is set up. It’s so important for the rider to be able to report to the team what they are experiencing so work can be done to tweak it. At 14 years old, it’s amazing to me to listen to her tell of what happened each pass and to watch her get more and more focused and determined. I have no doubt in my mind that we will see her put up the numbers she needs. 100 MPH on a 500cc single cylinder motorcycle is nothing to take lightly. Again….at 14 years old! She is the youngest one out here.
I had one pass today and learned what wheel slippage is. The WFB has so much more horsepower this year. I have used an electric shifter the last 2 years, but am shifting manually, and when shifting to 4th today, the rear wheel slipped. Now this is something I haven’t felt before, nor would I like to again. I let off the throttle, regained my composure, and got back on it, but was already in the mile, and was only able to pull 138 mph. I did get back in line this afternoon as well. Early this morning I learned that the data acquisition system we are running on the bike this year showed that I had reached 150 MPH before the wobble I experienced yesterday! I was pretty excited to hear that as I need to reach 150.8 to hold onto this this year. At least I know it can be done. Back at it tomorrow. We have a few days left, so I’m going to keep plugging away (I don’t give up too easy either in case you didn’t know that about me. Not sure where my girls get that from, hahaha.)
Karlee, Michelle and I were in line this afternoon and the races were called off after an accident. I am sad to report that there was a fatality today. Please send prayers out to the family of Cliff Gullett. Cliff lost control of his streamliner at over 200 mph today and did not survive the crash. As all of his salt flats family pause to mourn his loss, its a reminder again in our own lives to continue to cherish each moment we get with friends, family, loved ones, a reminder of just how precious life is, and also a reminder to simply respect the dangerous sport we are participating in. Safety first and lots of prayers.
On that note I want to take a moment to really commend our team. Not just the krew out here with us, but everyone back home sending prayers, taking care of our homes, dogs, the shop in our absence. Everyone here has worked really hard to keep FOUR bikes running, 4 girls motivated with great words of encouragement and helpful ideas, reminding us to eat, handing us bottles of water. We are so blessed! I watch in awe as I see my daughters learn so much about themselves, what they are capable of, watch them learn about teamwork, finding solutions, having faith and respecting their machines. Tonight at dinner Erika was already making plans for next year and wondering, with so much homework to do while she’s out here this week, if it will be ok to miss a week of college next year to come to Bonneville. She would like to go 170 on a really stable bike she says, and Karlee, well, she says that 100 mph seems kinda slow and she knows that her bike won’t go a whole lot faster than that, but “mom, you know since 7th grade I have said I want to go 200 MPH!” Yikes girl! I just sat back and listened and watched as the girls and Brian interacted and discussed what kinds of bikes they could build. The girls even stated they had been discussing an idea to do a sidecar bike, that they could switch off as the driver and that mom would be the one to ride in the sidecar. I think mom may be retiring from racing and just be mom out here, encouraging these girls. Doing what a mom does - teaching, sharing experiences, watching them and praying for their safety. We’ll see. Time will tell. 
Brian posed the same question to the team last night…if you could race anything, what would it be? Great answers, great conversations. We have a GREAT team! Beyond our own krew here including Dan, Amy, JP “Quiggly”, Joe, Michelle, Tiadra, Lance, Kim, Randy, Chris, John & Luauna, we are joined by Dave Sietsma, James Ramsey, Bernie & Cherie Maxwell, Kiwi (Mike Thomas/Kiwi Indian).
Brian, thank you for being a wonderful husband and growing with me professionally, emotionally and spiritually. I didn’t say out loud in our note yesterday, Happy Anniversary.
The salt continues to be a Godsend for us, our team, and our families. A place to grow, learn and share!
Give each other an extra hug and kind words today. Notice the little miracles that happen all around you each day.
And God bless you all!
More to come….
Laura
