Last week saw the 33rd Annual Speed Week take place in Lake Gairdner, South Australia.
This festival of speed attracts petrolheads from far and wide as they compete in (and on) a variety of vehicles on a straight-line track on “the big white dyno” – the salt flats at Lake Gairdner in the Australian outback.
Everything from high-speed Belly Tanks and fast Fords to vintage Harleys and Japanese imports.
(Image: Scenic photo of the 33rd Annual Speed Week at Lake Gairdner)
Rob Linton, Senior Software Developer for Senetas and one of the brains behind SureDrop (our secure filesharing and storage application), was entering the event for the first time on his modified 1966 Honda CB350, nicknamed Bender.
(Video: Rob Linton and Senetas at the 33rd Annual Speed Week)
Rob was entered into category M-CG (modified frame, classic bike, running on standard gasoline). Full disclosure, the class was open. This meant nobody had run this class in Australia before, so to set a new record Team Bender would just need to complete 2 runs successfully, making it past the 3-mile marker in the quickest time.
(Image: A photo of the motorbike Rob Linton used to compete in this year’s event)
Of course, there’s more to it than that:
- The bike MUST pass the technical inspection both prior to the runs and after each record run.
(This included piston volume tests as well as fuel tests of the fuel used during the run) - The team must meet all of the Hazchem and safety requirements, this includes the chase vehicle.
- The team must not be disqualified during a run.
- The bike must make it past mile marker 3 on both occasions.
- The team needs to pass the “rookie” training on course.
(By way of a reward, the team gets to wear a big green “Rookie” sticker)
(Image: A photo of Rob Linton on his motorbike)
As a sponsor of team bender, Senetas is proud to be a part of the event. We’re even prouder to announce the team’s success. Rob clocked an official speed of 79.321 mph, a new class record!
Congratulations Rob, world-class developer and land speed record holder!
(Image: Photo gallery and highlights of Team Bender at the 33rd Annual Speed Week)
If you had any questions about Rob’s time at the event or his new land speed record, feel free to get in touch!
