Top Gear - Hammond's Next Challenge?

[Smiler.]

Since he is also a biker (allegedly), should we petition TG to get him to have a go on this:



I mean, it's only 1200bhp!

[blade7]

Think he's done his bit.

[wedg1e]

Back in about '86 one of the bike mags featured a Norton feeatherbed frame bearing a Rover V8... mounted sideways, driving a pre-unit gearbox and IIRC with belt final drive.
It broke the urban speed limit at idle. The guy who built it asked the mag to take it easy but sure enough they broke it
It looked just like a standard bike! Obviously it was about 1050 bhp short of the one above, but top marks to the guy for doing it...

[hiccy]

I can't quite figure out how you would ride that thing: the bars are in fron of the engine so are you really meant to lean over that blower? It looks like it's supposed to be a drag bike but I can't see how any track would let that race, imagine the blower belt snapped or there was blow back through it?

Right enough, reminds me of that video of the drag bike engine grenading at the start and a rod taking the guys hand off.

[aeropilot]

hiccy said:

I can't quite figure out how you would ride that thing: the bars are in fron of the engine so are you really meant to lean over that blower? It looks like it's supposed to be a drag bike but I can't see how any track would let that race, imagine the blower belt snapped or there was blow back through it?

I was scratching my head while looking at it at the show yesterday.
And youre right, your arms would run alongside the blower base probably resting on the valve covers, with your head literally a few inches from the back of the blower......
Insane.......would be my description.

And the noise even with some sort of ear protection would be unreal with your head that close to the blower.....let alone as you say if it let go.....and blowers do let go with some regularity....

[Benni]

Sorry for the repost, it is on PH somewhere already, but I can´t find it...
www.superbike.co.uk/news/superbike_new_bikes_news_106674.html
Seems the builder/owner/rider is heading for a RWYB @ Shakespeare County Raceway in February.
A blower blanket would be on my shopping list, if I were to mount that monster.
Cheers,
Benni

[slinky]

I was under the impression from speaking the Chris Hall (funny bike racer) that inline V8's were banned from competition..

He might make it out on track at the bulldog bash, but the torque windup of that thing is going to lie it on it's side as soon as he so much as sniffs the throttle!!!

slinky

[slinky]

The engine spec...

Engine: 8193cc Mopar big block, tuned by ICE Racing
Supercharger: 8.71 Littlefield blower
Power: 1000 - 1200bhp depending on blower speed and fuel used.
Gearbox: 2 speed & reverse API Racing Transmissions
Frame: 32mm wall steel tube using the motor as a stress member,kept short by running blower belt through forks
Wheels: Front 15 x 5.5 Prostar with Metzeler Marathon 180x70
Rear 15 x 15 Prostar with Micky Thompson Sportsman Pro 29x18.5
Brakes: Front: 2 x Harrison Billet 'Big' 6 piston calipers Rear Harrison Billet 'Mini' 6-piston caliper

Oh, that is not going to go in a straight line...