Why do we do it?

From the outside looking in people seem to think we live this perfect life traveling the country chasing Land Speed records on our bikes. While it is the life I choose, most people have no idea what it is really like, what it really takes. Determination, passion, commitment are only words to some. To a Land Speed racer it is what it takes to be successful.
Land Speed racers are a totally different breed. I grew up on the seat of a motorcycle and was jumping cars and racing one from 12 years old. I've done a little of everything. MX, Cross Country, Hare Scrambles, Flat Track, Drag Racing, Roadracing and now Land Speed. I must say I thought the Land Speed runs were going to be easy. Did I learn quickly that anyone can get on a bike and blast down the track. Very few can do it and walk away a record setter.
A Land Speed racer spends large amounts of money, knowing he will never see a monetary return from that investment. I work as many hours and as many jobs as it takes to keep a race team funded. You spend many hours a year on the road traveling to events, taking equipment to builders, and finding places to practice and test. You don't do it for fame as Land Speed is relatively obscure to those outside of the community. There is no TV coverage, no radio coverage, only internet coverage of certain events. There is no prize money, no way to recover the 10's of thousands of dollars you have tied up in it. If you are lucky you get some magazine coverage and are able to find a small sponsor or two to just keep you afloat. Your vacations are trips to the race track. You never get enough sleep and you are always tired. If you are successful, you set a Speed Record and find a way into a 200 mph club. You come home with a certificate and a hat.
Why do we do it? Why do we push ourselves to the brink of financial and physical ruin? What is it that keeps us coming back every season with bigger dreams? Those 3 words from earlier, determination, passion and commitment. A successful Land Speed racer lives for a record pass attempt. You plan and work for the opportunity. Everything else is on hold as you focus on that one moment in time where you either get it done or you go back to square 1. You push yourself and equipment to the edge, then step over it, in hopes that you can step back before it is too late. Every run is treated as your last. It just could be, financially, a life changing accident or worse. You are driven though. The satisfaction of setting that record, being one of the fastest people out there. The thrill of getting into a 200mph or better club. It is impossible to put into words that feeling. I know the feeling of being the fastest person in the World on our class motorcycle. 3 World records and many National records later the drive is the same. There is an intense desire, a need to go faster. There is an unknown out there. The quest is to figure out how to go faster, to touch the God of Speed, if only for a moment.
Is it worth all you give? The answer is without a doubt. Life is for living and this pursuit of speed is a way of life. We do more with less and always find a way to reach our goals. Join us at TLN Motorsports for the 2012 Land Speed racing season. We don't plan on disappointing anyone.

http://www.tlnmotorsports.com

2011 season and last event ever at Maxton is done

The 2011 ECTA Land Speed Racing season has come to a close. With that, the last race event ever in Maxton, NC was run. The ECTA will be moving to Wilmington, Oh for the 2012 season. There have been so many memories of Maxton for me and TLN Motorsports. Some really great ones, and some really bad. We set the N/A 650cc Standing Mile record there at a speed of 184.161 mph. We set the N/A Street Legal Standing Mile record there at 182.095 mph. We made it into the ECTA 200 mph club there at 201.722 mph. At one point we owned 24 ECTA National records at the same time. We leave Maxton with 5 retired National records. We were 650cc N/A Super Streetbike (2009) and Throttle Nation (2010) Top Speed Challenge winners. N/A 1000cc Throttle Nation (2010 & 2011) Top Speed Challenge winners. Since 2007 TLN Motorsports has set and re-set over 65 Land Speed records. It has been a very memorable run for us there.
We are looking forward to the new facility at Wilmington, Oh. During the off season we have some big plans that should bring us more mph in the upcoming season. How much we do depends on our funding. That's a blog for another time. I firmly believe and expect to take our ZX-6rr to speeds of 185 mph in Ohio and 192 mph in Maine. Our ZX-10R speeds should be 207 mph in Wilmington and 210 mph in Maine. Without a doubt the bikes are capable. Now to get the builds funded and done. As the rider I'm starting a new training program to get myself even better prepared foe 2012.
The future of Land Speed racing is evolving, and TLN Motorsports expects to be at the top in the new season. There is a desire, a fire burning, a need to push the limit. We have some ideas that will do just that. Stick with us as it will be an interesting ride.

To say that Land Speed racers are a unique breed is a major understatement. If you ask tell 3 different land speed competitors about a problem you will get 3 different answers about how to fix it. The thing is, all 3 solutions will work. Most land speed racers know they have to take care of the issues they face themselves. There is never enough budget and the goal is a record certification or maybe a hat that signifies you have made it into an elite club. There is no huge pot of money awaiting a competitor. No chance of ever recovering the money spent to reach the goal. I've been told that land speed is just a hobby. Well let me tell you right now. Land Speed racers are dreamers. They are passionate about chasing the dream. They live to sit at the start line and launch themselves out into the great unknown. And it is an unknown. You are racing to set records in your class, to be faster than anyone before you has gone. You are committed to do whatever it takes to achieve the speed needed to reach the goal. A hobby, no way. It is a way of life. Your thoughts are never far away from what you can do to go faster. You sacrifice much of the so called "normal life" to case the dream. I have fell asleep with a wrench in my hand next to a race bike. Some say we are crazy. I say we are just dedicated. Land Speed racers are the true meaning of a racer. Not someone seeking a large payoff, just a racer with a dream. A racer that once the goal is reached, spends a short time satisfied, and then is off after the new goal. I remember the day we set our first World Record and the celebration that followed. Before the evening was over the new goal was becoming the focus. Never satisfied is correct. There is always the dream, the need to go faster. To push the limits of yourself and your machine. I wouldn't have it any other way.

We left some speed at the track last month in Maine. That fact never leaves my mind. Equipment failures and rider mistakes left us at 205.042 mph for a top speed. It was a new class record, but we left speed there. I can guarantee this though. We will set new class records on both the ZX-6rr and ZX-10R at maxton before the year is out. And if the weather cooperates there will be a new 1 mile World Record on the ZX-6. Stay tunes because it will be an interesting run to the end of the season.

The struggle to stay on top

Why do we push our selves to the limit? Why do we run up huge amounts of debt? Why do we go without sleep, run our bodies into the ground, loose friends, make enemies and find that we are consumed with one goal? It's all about staying on top, being the best at what you do, living with a Passion, chasing a dream that never goes away. The desire, the need that burns within.

For me it is the pursuit of Speed, going faster, finding that little extra to go faster and faster. To be the fastest at what I do. To touch the robe of the God of Speed. That moment on the track when you are at peace. Oh it may be hectic as things are going wrong all around you, but it's where you desire to be. At speed, on the course, in search of the unknown. Each time you twist the throttle the unknown lies ahead. You have prepared as best you can, but the risk, the unknown awaits. The funny thing is, that is the moment you come alive, the moment you have been working so hard for. That is when you are most at home as you launch on the run with expectations of going faster than you ever have. It is an indescribable feeling. The dream is alive, the chase is on, the struggle to be the best lives. It is what drives us to run up the debt, loose the sleep, abuse our bodies. It is why we are here on this earth. It is what makes us racers.

People look at us and call us crazy, say we are an arrogant bunch, that we have lost perspective on life. Maybe those are qualities that get us to the top. Crazy, maybe. Arrogant, I'd say confident in ourselves. Without the confidence we wouldn't have a chance. Perspective on life, we live it to the fullest. Sure, we are a different breed. You have to be to launch yourself into the unknown at over 200 mph. It's a requirement to have in the struggle to stay on top.

TLN Motorsports will be back in action at Maxton on June 25-26th. It will be very HOT, with little chance of going faster or setting records. There will be little to gain in the heat, and oh so much to loose. We will be there though for the simple reason that the fire is burning, the Passion is alive. We are racers and when there is a race, we are there. It's who we are and what we do.

TLN Motorsports in 2011

TLN Motorsports kicked off the 2011 racing season this past weekend April 2nd-3rd at Maxton NC. It was so good to be back at the race track. We didn't have the showing we liked, but with all the work that was done to the bikes this off season, and absolutely no testing time, the results were not that bad.

We have made a change this year in the way we approach things. We will no longer chase multiple class records. The expense and stress of trying to set and defend multiple class records is more than we want to take on this year. We are a normally aspirated gas team and those are the records we will be fighting to maintain.

This past weekend has taught us a valuable lesson. It was said by someone much wiser than myself, that you reach a point where you have done all that you can without some help, you have gone as fast as you will without some help. I watched a good friend blow his engine again trying to take a turbo 600cc motorcycle past the 200 mark in the mile. As he said, he can make that engine last all year for 8 seconds at a time, but 27 seconds is another story. With some help that team could make history. We fall into that catagory. 190 mph on a Normally Aspirated 650cc Motorcycle on the 1.5 mile backed up with a 189 pass. 184 mph on the mile, backed up with a 182. 203 mph on a Normally Aspirated 1000cc Motorcycle on the 1.5 mile 4 passes in a row. 201 on the mile backed up at 199. The stress we put on the engines is unbelieveable. It takes help to go any faster. People to build one off parts, sponsors to donate parts. The needed spare parts list is enormous. You reach a point where you just can't do it yourself.

I have the greatest respect for land Speed Racers. They work other jobs to pay the bills. They don't get much sleep because they are working on the race vehicles after the regular job. They ask sponsors for help, fight with the delivery person, spend the house payment on the race team and somehow find a way to make it work. They are the smartest people I know and will always find a way to overcome the obsticale.

While the fan sees the rider on the motorcycle and thinks that is cool, what it takes to make that pass is never seen. The work by so many for that one pass is never realized. Those who freely give of their time and energy is what makes it happen.

I am as lucky as they get. TLN Motorsports made it this far because I have a wife/Team Owner that sacrifices for the Team, I have friends that give their time, I have supporters that find ways to help and inspire me and I have fans I can't even think of letting down.

Yes we need help and are cutting back on our schedule this year because we simply can't do it all without help. We are not sure if we will run again before Loring in July. Loring is our #1 focus for this season. We want to put the speeds on the board there. We were going to Texas next month, but simply can't without help. We may not see Maxton again until September without help. It's just the way it is.

All of that said, you can know that we are 100% committed to record breaking runs this season. Loring in July is a go and our will is strong. The fire is burning hot and we are still in the Chase. The fun is back and we are going to enjoy every second. You never know when the ride ends.

Thanks to all who have supported us in the past and continue to do so now. Thanks to Vortex for standing by us. Thanks to Kevin Hunt and KWS Motorsports for all the hard work and support. Thanks to Powerbronze for the support and belief in us. Thank you Monty Spears and Run 1 Racing Motorsports for helping us in so many ways. Thanks to Laynie, Donna, Lorraine, Darryn and all who have been there from the start.

While 2011 may be different for us, more limited, more focused. Look for big things this year. We aquired the data we needed this weekend. 175.2 on the 600 and 197.7 on the 1000. Nothing to write home about, but impressive from where we started. Our confidence is high. TLN Motorsports will make a mark again this year.

That said, if you know someone that may want to help a race team. We certainly are a good option. We do a lot with little. We have been published in magazines for 3 consecutive years, and we carry your banner in a professional manner.

Chase is on. The God of Speed and TLN Motorsports have a meeting at Loring in mid July.

2011 Sponsorship of The Peoples Team

TLN Motorsports is offering everyone the opportunity to ba a part of the Race Team. We at TLN Motorsports have decided to open up sponsorship opportunities to everyone. We have always considered ourselves as the People's Team, the little guy's that take on the fight for everyone out there. So many of you have offered us support and stood by us throughout our Chase of the God of Speed. We have rceived many questions from people about the possibility of helping us qith our efforts to push envelope of speed, through small donations. We are dedicated to continue to set more National and World Land Speed Records. After some long discussions we decided to open sponsorships to all. For as little as $5.00 we will add you to the Teams Sponsor list on our web page http://www.tlnmotorsports.com/ For $20.00 you will be added to the Teams Sponsor list on our website and have your name put on the side of our bikes. For $50.00 you will get both of the above and receive a copy of pictures from the first race event of the season. The photos will have you listed as the Teams Sponsor. Your photo or logo can be added to the photos if you send them to us. You can go to http://www.paypal.com/ and send your donation to tlnmotorsports@yahoo.com This will be your opportunity to be a part of the People's Team. The little guy's that Never Give Up/Never Give In. We expect 2011 to be a very big year at TLN Motorsports. This being the final season of the ECTA competing at Maxton, we are determined to set the fastest times we have ever ran there. We expect to push our World Records out and shock the world again with our speeds. If you would like to be a part, we welcome you aboard. If you would like to be a bigger sponsor send us an email at tlnmotorsports@yahoo.com and we can discuss the details. We are still looking for corporate sponsors for the 2011 season also. We have a proven track record. I do firmly believe that we are a can't miss opportunity. Thanks to all who have stood by us and supported us at TLN Motorsports over the years. We will not disappoint you.

How Bad Do You Want It

The Off season is well under way. Bikes are being prepared for the 2011 racing season. While we have had enormous success in 2009 and 2010, we are making some radical changes to the race package of our ZX-6rr and ZX-10R. If you don't continue to try new things, you get left behind in the dust.

It looks good financially for TLN and 2011. We think we have found what we need for the racing season budget. Until the money is in our account it isn't a done deal though. KWS gets both bikes in a couple of weeks. The suspension and Aero work is near completed. It will all be in the hands of Kevin and the KWS crew soon.

We were unable to secure a 2011 ZX-6 or ZX-10 for this racing season. The good news is our ZX-6rr is still a multi Wprld Record holder and our ZX-10R was the fastest normally aspirated 1000cc motorcycle on the East Coast, except for 0ne. The KWS BMW. We were faster than the other BMW's, but KWS had us by a couple mph. We have our work cut out for us, but I do love a challenge.

As for the rider I am determined to be ready for the season opener. I am struggling with an ACL/MCL tear in my right knee. I have had multiple operations for the same issue in my left knee. I'll be spending 5-6 days a week in the gym working to strengthen the knee and my core, not to mention the 60-90 mins of cardio to help drop some weight so I can be in the best condition since 2009 when the season starts. I am determined to have strength and stability in the knee and be ready.

Land Speed racing requires a lot of lower body strength. Ridding with toe pressure. Doing all you can to keep the bike aimed down the course without moving the front wheel. Any movement in that front tire causes friction which slows you down. Maxton is unique with the curve at the beginning and end of the course. I ride wide through the beginning curve trying to wind out the bikes as much as possible. That may all change as the new race packages may require new gearing for both bikes. Then it all changes with wind speed and direction.

The question is, as always. How bad do you want it? How committed are you to being the fastest there is? How much are you willing to give, in time money, blood, sweat and tears. The answer for TLN is clear. We as a team will do whatever is required to be on top. I as a rider will work as hard as it takes to be ready and at my best in 2011.

Stay tuned as I have that old feeling again. I can taste the Chase. I see records out there and I want them. God of Speed, we are coming.