Dyna-Mite!

The dyno comes together

The concept

Every well equipped garage should have a dynamometer, and now the Big Bad Nitro Daddy garage is no exception.

Rob thought it was too much work to load the Apilia up and take it to Speedwrench whenever we wanted to test it, and all he really needed is a comparison between pulls,nothing terribly sophisticated or precise. One wheel and tire, brake and gauges, weld together a frame and there we are.

Up and running (with the Buell in the bbackground)

It is perfect for the Aprilia, and will probable handle the Buell, but Randy will still be seeing us at Speedwrench when the Hayabusa goes back together.

And the Beat Goes on

It's mid-October, and already we're working hard toward 2012.

My job is finding Rob the money and products we'll need through sponsorship. Even though we won't be racing again until August, most sponsorship packages are awarded in October for the following year. I'm spending evenings filling out forms, trying to convince race-associated companies that Big Bad Nitro Daddy will be an asset.

Rob is working on the bikes, as always. We have plans going on with all three bikes. The Aprilia has the opportunity to push up the FIM record, and of course, we want to capture the AMA records. The Hayabusa is what it is; a nitro methane monster, Rob promises me motorcycles get more stable the faster they go. Counting on that.

The Buell is really looking fun. Rob is doing a lot of engineering, and we'll have to figure out what class the bike will run in. It seems like we have plenty of time, but deadlines must be met, and efforts must be focused.

Ten months and counting ...

... and the new world's record is ...

81.398 mph.
Pending ratification by the F,I,M,

Life at Bonneville was frustrating for the first day when I could barely keep the bike running at low revs. It sure made it hard to start as the bike struggled in first gear and took over half a mile to climb up into the exciting part of the power band. A new ring gave it back the compression we needed, and the Aprilia rewarded us with four runs over 80 mph.

On Tuesday, August 30th, we ran 82.574 down, with a return run of 80.255 mph. That gave us the average of 81.398 mph through the mile, breaking the previous record of just over 77 mph.

World's Record Fastest 50cc Aprilia RS-50

In addition, the organizers of the BUB Speed Trials awarded Big Bad Nitro Daddy the "Highest MPH/CC Ratio" for our fastest run of 82.673. Pretty amazing when you consider that speed is being generated by a piston and cylinder the size of a shot glass.

Thank you AF1 Racing for building the "mad little monkey" motor, and Optima Batteries for providing the electrical power. Already we're planning how to go faster next year.

And wait till you see what's been happening to the Buell!

The Adventure Begins

Big Bad Nitro Daddy tests the nitro  methane percentage

It's all about preparation, and as usual, when it came to the end there wasn't much time.

With just a week to assemble the bike and test the systems, Rob was really pressed. There are still some glitches to be worked out, and we picked up a new Digitron gauge as we drove out of town, but we hope it will all come together on the Salt.  

This morning we loaded the trailer and ran through the check lists. If we don't have it now, we'll have to buy it, borrow it, or do without. As I write this, we're traveling west on I-80, counting the pronghorns. Should be at the Salt Flats tonight.

Seems like a lot of trailer for such a little bike!

It's Hee-rre!

Thank you Steve and all the people at AF1 Racing! The Aprilia's engine has arrived.

With only a few days before we leave for Bonneville and the BUB Speed Trials, Rob has plenty to do. Already the engine is installed, and a fuel tank in place. Now he's going through safety wiring and securing all parts.


Meanwhile, I've been working with Ken Brunton of Accessories Inc to make decals for sponsors and number panels. Applying decals seemed intimidating at first, but Ken made it easy for me.

The Itty Bitty Nitro Lady Aprilia is almost ready to make records!

Final Two Weeks

It's the push to the finish for the Itty Bitty Nitro Lady Aprilia now.



True, it still looks like this,

but the Haybusa looks like this

and the Buell looks like this

Narrowing the Focus

It's all about the Aprilia now.

The Hayabusa pistons are awesome things: thick and strong, like none seen before. The Buell pistons are incredible: hunchbacked and powerful. But both motors have been put on hold. This year the only bike Big Bad Nitro Daddy will have at BUB will be the Aprilia.

Time became short and there is no benefit to rushing these projects. I had hoped to be on the Hayabusa; this will be the second year I have not been able to ride it.

But the Aprilia is the only class in which I have the potential to break an FIM World Record, and that is where we will aim.

Breathe easy, Leslie, this year your record is safe. But watch over your shoulder. I'm coming after you.