Inspired by uncle Burt, Lee Munro aims to break 200mph
CHRISTCHURCH: The great nephew of legendary New Zealand landspeed racer Burt Munro will attempt to break the 200mph barrier at the Utah Salt Flats this month.
Backed by an engineering team from America’s first motorcycle company, Indian Motorcycle, Lee Munro hopes to eclipse his previous official speed of 191.286mph (307.845kmh) on a newly-modified Indian Scout streamliner, dubbed Spirit of Munro.
Burt Munro’s legacy was immortalised in the 2005 film, The World’s Fastest Indian, starring
Sir Anthony Hopkins.
He inspired his great nephew to follow in his speedy footsteps, and last year, Lee Munro celebrated the 50th anniversary of his great uncle’s historic under1000cc world record (183.59mph/ 295.453kmh) on his 1920 Scout streamliner with a commemorative run at Bonneville Speed Week, in Utah.
Lee Munro’s record run of 186.681mph (300.434kmh) at El Mirage, in Southern California, and official run of 191.286mph (307.845kmh) at last year’s speed week has him motivated
to break into the exclusive 200mph club at the 70th annual Bonneville event, which starts next week.
‘‘My great uncle Burt is a significant inspiration for my own motorcycle racing career, and his appetite for speed is clearly a part of my DNA,’’ Lee Munro, who lives in Christchurch, said.
‘‘Partnered with the exceptional team at Indian Motorcycle, I know we can make our dreams of hitting 200mph a reality.’’
In preparation for this year, Indian has worked on refining the streamliner, which will run in the modified partial streamliner 1350cc class. — NZME