| Fri, Jul 30 5:41AM (NZ) |
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This website is now dedicated to covering the Black Bullets. Current Black Bullets news is now provided on iSportz » with past news archived here for your continued reference.
Crashing his Kawasaki ZX14 motorcycle at 300kph in to two timing markers on the Bonneville Salt Flats in August 2007, has not deterred Hamilton's Alan Thoresen, from returning to Speed Week 2008 in August this year to again chase a Land Speed Record in excess of 200mph.
Since Bonneville 2007, Alan has run the Drag Racing season in New Zealand on the ZX-14 breaking four national records over the season, and finished up in the runner up position in the NZ Drag Association National points series for Modified Bike.
The 52 year old is returning with more determination and enthusiasm to run at the 60th anniversary of Speed week on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah USA, which starts August 16th and runs for the week
The team for 2008 will be the same as 2007 with Hamilton Motorcycle Mechanic Neil Powell as Crew Chief, along with Andy Goodridge from TeAwamutu as crew assistant and Alan's wife Violet Thoresen who will be driving the Teams recovery vehicle and home away from home.
Alan's Kawasaki ZX-14 "Black Thunder" will have additional modifications based on experience gained at running on the Bonneville Salt Flats in August 2007, where the primary issue was lack of traction, and the build up of salt on the tyres with the moist salt conditions. – Alan will be sticking with the Continental Street Attack tyres, as they handled well on the slippery surface last year, however he will also run the new Continental Race Attack tyres on a second set of rims, as he and his crew chief believe that if the salt is moist, the ZX-14 tyres may actually gain better traction with less tread, as it should not pick up as much salt. – Alan will be carrying out some testing on the Kawasaki ZX-14 with the modifications before the bike is crated up in late July to head off to the USA.
 Last year Alan and his Kawasaki ZX-14 gained considerable media coverage with their record attempt at Bonneville as the lone kiwi entrant, travelling from NZ to race with some of the fastest machines in the world.
This year has attracted what is believed to be four cars from NZ along with a potential 3 other motorcycles, and whilst all are individual teams, Alan has said he hopes that all the "kiwi teams" will front the start line on the salt at Bonneville together, so as to "Paint the Salt Black" with kiwis, cars and bikes and flags!!
Watch out for more updates on Alan, his Kawasaki ZX-14 and the Team from Black Thunder Racing NZ.
Check out www.blackthunder.co.nz
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