VOLUME ISSUE SEPTEMBER , P111
much wheelspin, and combined
with a crosswind, pushed the
rear end out," Assen said. "I was
pushing the bike hard, as it was
running like a dream. I felt it go,
but it was too late, and the excess
wheelspin caused the tire to fail."
The wreck was spectacular
and sent the machine that Assen
spent over 10 years building into
a debris field of nearly a half mile.
"At the start of the debris
field, there were pieces of rub
-
ber from the tire," said Assen.
"Once the tire let go, it was out-
of-control tank-slapper and bang
down onto left-hand side before
cartwheeling down the track."
Fortunately, Assen fared rela
-
tively well in the crash, suffering
injuries mainly to his foot along
with some broken fingers. "I did
look down at my left foot, wiggling
my toes, watching the tendon and
bone move through a hole in the
side of the boot," said Assen.
The accident prompted the
first time the FIM event has
needed to employ emergency
services on the Salar de Uyuni,
a true test of Bolivia medical
response.
"This is the third land speed
event we've had here in Bolivia,
and the first time we have had
to activate our local medical
team," said FIM Referee Ralph
Bohnhorst. "We are pleased at
the response time and efficiency
of everyone involved and want
to say thank you for the quick
professional teamwork of all."
The Ack Attack
made a single
successful run
down the racetrack,
but only crested
300 mph—not the
400 mph they were
looking for.
