When you travel to the Bonneville Salt Flats to watch the attempts at setting speed records you expect to hear the screaming of high revving motors on the white salt and an announcer giving out times over a PA system. But after the action is over you might hear the strings of a guitar being plucked as a singer belts out some blues, boogie woogie or blue grass tune. That would be Drew Gatewood. Music has been an interest of Drew’s since childhood. Though not a professional he still is entertaining.

Sammy Hagar once sang that “I can’t drive 55″ and neither can lots of other people. We have a need for speed whether it be on a canyon road or drag strip. We just have to find out what our limitations are and then push it to the edge. This is for those of us who will never get to experience the thrill of riding a bike down the famous land speed course at the Bonneville Salt Flats, or to feel what it’s like to set a world land speed record. I’ve found myself twisting the throttle a little further just riding past the flats on I-80 heading from Wendover towards Salt Lake City. So as a public service we are providing a link to a special video of Ack Attack’s record run. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yx6z3cM6CA

We received a special treat here at IW Blogger when one of our faithful, John K. Endrizzi, sent us some pictures he took at the BUB Speed Trials event at the Bonneville Salt Flats outside Wendover, Utah. We hope you enjoy his pictures and words as much as we do. Thanks for sharing John!

On September 26, Rocky Robinson rode his “Ack Attack” bike through the Bonneville Salt Flats sensors at an average of 360.913 MPH, setting a new World Land Speed Record for a streamlined motorcycle during the invitation-only TOP 1 Oil World Land Speed Shootout at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. A small mechanical problem on Robinson’s first pass just slightly slowed the speed of the run, and his return run was ridden in nearly the same time. According to reports, the event was witnessed by an FIM official, but the record still awaits official FIM ratification, which should come in October.

If you’re riding in the Tucson, Arizona area on September 28th how about taking part in the poker run at the Southern Arizona Motorcycle Rally 2008. (2007 event photos) The ride starts and ends at the Pima Air and Space Museum; 6000 Valencia Road, Tucson, Arizona. Sign in is from 9 - 11 AM with the ride ending by 5 P.M. Cost is $20 rider and $30 for a couple. There will be food, vendors and music at the event. The rally was created to educate people and give financial support to the Wounded Warrior Project which provides services and programs to help wounded veterans get back to civilian life. IronWorks is a proud sponsor of this event. For more info www.americasdefenders.org

Word from the American Motorcyclist Association is that Cliff Gullett from Bozeman, Montana was killed in an accident on the Bonneville Salt Flats on September 3rd. Gullett was racing in the 500 cc Streamliner class when the accident occurred. This is the week for racing at the Land Speed Facility on the famous Salt Flats. Mr. Gullett was 47 years of age. We at IronWorks magazine and IW Blogger extend our sympathy to his family and friends.