Racing stories...check this site

[spyderchick]

By Larry Lawrence. You might recognize an infamous MW Champ in there.

http://www.theriderfiles.com/

[Super Dave]

Cool!  So, that's what Larry's up to lately.  He's still with Cycle News too?

Really enjoyed that, Alexa.  Thanks!

[Scotty Ryan]

I'm almost 100% positive that the second picture of Ed on the Hurricane at Grattan - Ed is wearing the exact same Kevlar suit that he still wears today.... That guy cracks me up!!!!!

[Super Dave]

Yeah, that's Ed.  I've got video of him that year at Blackhawk, Indy, and maybe some other places.  Ed and Gumby did a lot together.  They both bought into an RS250 from Vance & Hines at the end of 1987, if I remember correctly.  Ed?

[eeky]

That's correct Dave. It was the ex Randy Renfrow bike. Gary bought it at the last race of the year and Randy rode directly off the track to Gary's truck. He used it for an areo project. Based on some of Erik Buells RW750 parts and aircraft cooling concepts Gary managed to create a bike that was soooo ugly it was beautiful.

The next spring at the Daytona 100 Kevin Cameron the AMA tech inspector tried to disqualify us for being too fast in practice. As usual Gary had done his homework and the bike was grudgingly found to be perfectly legal. I've never ridden a bike before or since that had such a performance advantage. We were at lest 5 mph faster on the banks than anyone else.

About 10 laps into the 100 I was cruising in the top 5 saving tires and energy when the ignition failed.

Ed

[Super Dave]

I remember you racing the bike at IRP in September or October of 1987.  Was still in the V&H colors. 

[Burt Munro]

Ed,

What's the story on the duct tape on the side fairing?

[eeky]

The main concept was increased aero efficiency mainly due to reduced cooling drag. The field modified duct taped outlet on the side of the fairing was low pressure area rad outlet. It took a few practice sessions to get the cooling airflow right hence the decidedly ugly outlet.

Ed

[barb_arah]

Wow, that takes me back.

[PJ]

Great pix. Great stories.

Ed, you da man. But I don't even want to think about what that old blue kevlar suit smells like on the inside. How many seasons have you been rockin' that thing?

[eeky]

Sadly the blue one died at Daytona a few years ago. To the best of my recollections it was in it's middle 20's when it passed. The red one however is going strong.

The great thing about Kevlar is you just throw it in the washing machine and it comes out smelling great. Alexa really appreciates that!

PJ,  I really miss you sailing around the outside of me in the carousel. Are you going to make any Blackhawks this year?

Ed

[spyderchick]

Yeah, what Ed said. Come out and play PJ!