SUPERSHOW Events - MCN Article August 2008

SUPERSHOW Events proudly produces the North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW

January 2 . 3 . 4 . 2009

International Centre
6900 Airport Road
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Motor Cycle News - August 13, 2008 - reproduced by permission of the publisher
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210mph or bus pass for OAP

Former drag racer Bar Hodgson says he's got what it takes to be a record breaker... at 70

by Laura Kennerly

Bar Hodgson and the GSX-R ProStar Suzuki

Hodgson on his GSX-R that will also go with him to Bonneville

For the majority, 70th birthday celebrations are sedate affairs involving outings iwth the grandchildren or long-desired cruises. But for Canadian Bar Hodgson, a former dragracer, organizer of the north American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW and bike collector, this milestone will pass in more remarkable style - piloting the Canadian-built SUPERSHOW Team Arrow streamliner as it attempts to smash the land speed record for 500cc motorcycles.

To achieve this aim, Hodgson must exceed the 210 mph of Wilhelm Herz on his NSU Streamliner 500 in the early 1950's. Hodgson, like Herz before him, will launch his challenge at Bonneville Speed Week staged at the Salt Flats in Utah, America later this month.

Hodgson admits vintage bikes - like this Vincent Rapide - are still his favourite rides from his 200-strong bike collection

"When I was 17 I thought motorbikes were a young man's game", the Toronto native told MCN. "I was sure I would have grown out of them by the time I was 21. But I'm as committed as ever."

"All the stars aligned for this Bonneville trip. I am a former drag racer - I was Canadian Champion in my class in the 60's and 70's, and when I was 60 I raced some of the best circuits in North America. So for my 70th it had to be Bonneville."

The streamliner 500 cc land speed record attempt vehicle for Bonneville

Team Arrow hit 210.728mph in the S-G650 in 2004

This will be the first time Hodgson has been to Bonneville Speed Week. But it's not the first time for the bike's manufacturer, Bob Williams, and his Team Arrow Racing. In 2004, Williams took the World Record for 650cc motorcycles.

In 2006, his team attempted the 500cc record, posting a run at over 220mph before suffering a blown tyre. As such he is convinced the record is now within reach. Williams trained as a tool maker before spending 25 years working as a motorcycle dealer. He is now semi-retired and dedicates the majority of his time to working on the Streamliner.

The SUPERSHOW Team Arrow 500 cc land speed record attempt vehicle

The SUPERSHOW Team Arrow streamliner measures 13 feet long by just two feet across

He bought the bike's cylindrical shell, which measures 13 feet by just 24 inches, for $500 in the mid-1990's. Williams has evolved the design continuously since then.

He added a five foot section to the middle of the body, a frame for the Honda 600 engine (rebuilt as a 500cc engine, featuring a custom-made billet crank). The machine also features two parachutes and has hub-centre steering.

"You often find what you think will work, doesn't," he explains, "So you have to go back to the drawing board, or you make a change to another part and have to go back and build another version that will integrate with everything else."

Team Arrow's streamliner has just 24 inches of cockpit space

All that is left is final preparations for the bike and rider. "I am in good shape anyway, and so I am physically ready for the bike," Hodgson said. "It's mental tuning that is required now. I understand the job and am a qualified motorcycle mechanic, so I understand everything the team are telling me, but I need to work out the bike's potential.

"In the bike I'll be laid down with my feet forward and my head propped up so I can see out to steer." he said. "Once I am strapped in to my seven-point harness, the cockpit is only two feet in diameter and pretty tight, particularly as I have to wear a race suit and the safety equipment a racing car driver would."

Hodgson will take his custom motorhome to Bonneville, which incorporates a workshop and room for three bikes from his huge 200-strong collection.

The three he's chose are: a 2002 BMW R1150R, a Vincent Rapide and the 2005 ProStar Suzuki GSX-R he will use for the 125, 150, and 175mph qualifying runs that are mandatory to obtain a Bonneville Racing licence.

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