Earlier this week, legendary motorcycle land speed racer Sam Wheeler lost his life at the Bonneville Salt Flats in a high speed racing accident. Wheeler was making test runs in his famed E-Z Hook streamliner and crashed. We do not have details as to what caused the accident but we sadly know the outcome. Wheeler has been known as a man on the bleeding edge of motorcycle performance, particularly of the streamlined variety since the 1960s beginning with humble but fast homespun projects built with friends. The video below which is an interview with Sam that includes lots of old photos and memories.
Hoe fast was Wheeler? Well if you know Bonneville than you know that a blue hat is an amazingly rare thing to see, That is a cap earned only by those that have actually set records at speeds above 300mph. When this video was made about fix year ago, Wheeler has been 352mph in his Kawasaki powered ‘liner.
His is a great story and to hear him tell it in his own words it is even better. We love hearing about his associations with Norton and then Kawasaki and how they came about. Wheeler knew a good opportunity when he saw it and he capitalized as quickly and efficiently as he could.
We were saddened to learn of Wheeler’s passing earlier this week and we send our heartfelt condolences to his family. Speed is as unforgiving as it can be graceful when something goes awry. We choose to remember Wheeler in happier times. The video below is a spectacular look at the life and career of an extraordinary racer as told be the man himself.
Godspeed Sam Wheeler, we’ll miss seeing that green missile head down course.
RIP, went out doing what he loved.
Hard to argue with that.
Very bad news, Sam was great! I’m heartbroken.