Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/863949
FEATURE TOP OF THE WORLD LAND SPEED TRIAL AUGUST 3-8, 2017 SALAR DE UYUNI / UYUNI, BOLIVIA P104 tiff]. My dream was always to get to 400. I really think this is the course to do it on. We only ran for two days. Our bike got here late and yesterday was the first day we ran. Today we thought we were ready and salt gremlins just ate us up. There's things we didn't ex- pect. We would have learned a lot from this, anyway." Akatiff talked about it being "the end of the line" for the Ack Attack, but quickly added, "Never say never. We'll see. We'll go back and think about it." Despite the disap- pointment, one thing is sure, no one left with any regrets about mak- ing the trek to Bolivia to be a part of a pioneer- ing effort that will go down in land-speed racing history. "This is historic," Akatiff said. "It's something you'll never forget. When the president of a country comes out to visit you and shakes your hand and signs your motorcycle? Oh yeah! [laughs] I'm glad I came, absolutely. It was great." CN SALIMBENI GENETTI RACING – UNEXPECTED HEIGHTS I ronically it was the naturally aspirated team that had the least amount of problems in the high altitude of Uyuni. The Aprilia RSV-4 RR of the Salimbeni Genetti Racing team came equipped with nitrous, but they spent a full day running fuel only before hitting the switch. Nick Genet and Mike Salinbeni (along with Mike's uncle John Salimbeni) were thrilled to have recorded their fastest-ever times straight out of the box. They recorded speeds in the mid 180s. "People said we were crazy to bring a naturally as- pirated bike up here. They were like, 'Yeah, have fun going 130 mph,'" Salimbeni said. "Well, we just both hit our personal bests and we haven't even hooked up the nitrous yet." The next day they both joined the 200 mph club, recording speeds of just over 202 mph. The unex- pected success got them thinking about their class world record, which was 221 mph—a little beyond their reach. That's when Nick had an idea—what about the naked (non- faired) 1000cc record? That night they checked with FIM official Charlie Hennekam about what the standing record was, and if they could qualify for the category by simply removing their fairings. The answer was yes, and the standing record was 189 mph. The next morning, the Aprilia RSV4 got undressed in the chilly morning, ready for her next run. The thin air was to be an advantage this time, with less air pressure to fight. Genet's opening run was enough to qualify for a return run. His turnaround run with a light tailwind was even better, for an average of 192.8 mph: a new class world record. It just so happened that Erin Sills, revered land- speed racer and member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club, was the first person to greet Genet and inform him of his feat. Emotions ran high not only for Genet and Salimbeni, but for Sills. The record that was just broken belonged to her late husband, Andy Sills. "We have some emo- tions running high down here," came Mike Cook's voice over the radio, before handing it over to Erin. "I'd like to congratu- late Nick and Mike on an incredible run," her voice wavering through the static. "But you better believe I'm coming to get that record back." Erin Sills now plans to attend the remaining 2017 meets at Bonneville in an effort to put the 1000cc world record back in the Sills name. "Every land speed racer knows that when they earn a record, it is on-loan and not owned," said Sills. "How fitting that I was the 'official' at the end of the timed mile when Nick broke Andy's record today. It was emotional for both of us as we hugged, and the baton was passed. I was handing off something Andy was very proud of. "Maybe I was meant to be in Bolivia to help pass the baton in some way." (Right) The Salimbeni Genetti team celebrates with Erin Sills (right). (Below) Nick Genet didn't come to Bolivia expecting a world record, but he got one.