I was going to write an article for our website about his experience, but after reading Wally’s account, I decided just to use it in its entirety.

For you tech geeks out there, about all he left out of his article was the tire and suspension settings. Tires were set 40 lbs, front and rear. Rear suspension was set soft and front suspension set stiff. A steering damper was installed as a requirement by SCTA. Other than that, the bike was a dead-stock 2006 Triumph Thruxton.

Pat Cochran, Sales Manager
Engle Motors

Here is Wally LaFond in his own words:

First thing you have to do is pre-register by May15, 2008. This means a medical report, a membership fee and an entry fee all must be submitted to the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) by May 15h. After that the bike had to be readied to pass their Tech inspection and my leathers, boots and helmet also needed to pass the SCTA rules.

I was very fortunate to have Engle Motors, Ralph Blackmore and Phil Oldham assist me with cash, boots and helmet. It made it easier for me to get qualified.

On August 15th, my good buddy and crew chief, Jeff Page, crew member Tony Fontana and myself loaded up my bike (2006 Triumph Thruxton) and we took off at 5:30 am for Bonneville. We made it to Rawlings, Wyoming that evening. After we ate and slept that night, away we went, arriving at the Salt Flats the evening of the 16th.

We stayed at the Bonneville Inn in Wendover, Utah, where Burt Monroe stayed in 1968 with his Indian. We met two great fellows from Canada. They were staying at the same motel we were. After much good fellowship they joined our pit crew. We were all set, a full pit crew, good friends and a desire to have fun and do well.

Sunday, August 17th we were in line for Tech Inspection and Registration. Tech Inspection was Brutal. It lasted 4 hours and they go over everything. Checking tires, safety wiring, shutoff switch for the engine and fuel, steering dampener, headlight covered, entry numbers and class numbers had to be displayed properly. Wow, I passed. Now for the registration, only took 30 minutes - Arm bands, Pit crew in Red – right hand wrist, Rider in yellow – left hand wrist, stickers for the windshield of the tow vehicle and a 5 lb fire extinguisher and CB radio for tow vehicle. We only had a 3 lb fire extinguisher, but the next thing we know here are two guys willing to let us use one of theirs. Everyone helps each other out at all times, talk about great, people from everywhere, all over the world, gear heads, motor heads, speed freaks all getting together with one idea, go as fast as you can safely!

Everything was going smoothly until the tech inspectors had issues with my leathers. But after much pleading they passed (they rivet a Brass SCTA button on the left shoulder). It’s still there.

Monday, August 18th, started with the Drivers meeting. Every driver and their pit crew gathered at the starting line on the long course. We all were instructed by the course stewards of all rules and safety instructions. Then all the rookie drivers met at the short course, a five mile course. After the briefing, we drove the course to be sure where the return road and timing slip stand were. Then the fuel stop, have an empty gas tank, you have to use their fuel at $10.00 a gallon and then they seal the tank, so after almost 2 days of qualifying it’s time to get in line to take my turn.

Here we are in line for about four hours with all these people waiting, giving advise and telling of all their trips to the salt. I met Fritz, a Triumph dealer from Dallas, Texas, who had been to Bonneville over 20 times. He told me about air pressure in tires and shock settings for the best traction.

My turn, it’s Hot, the salt looks like a different world. I take off, no wheel spin, shifts smooth, one-mile marker speed reads 115 mph – Tach 6800 rpm. Two-mile mark everything is eerie smooth, I am tucked in, three-mile mark – time to slow down and wait for my pit crew, Jeff and Tony, to pick me up out here in the sea of white. As I wait, a Track Official comes by to check on me and hands me a water. He told me I made a great Rookie pass. About that time a streamliner pulls up. He was all excited and said I had a straight and perfect run. Jeff and Tony pick me up and we go to the Timing tower to get my slip. WOW! 111.372 mph, the previous record for an 865cc Triumph was 106.211 mph. I beat it by 5 mph. Wally LaFond, 65 years young, just made a dream come true.

Do I want to go back? Do I ever! To race, to watch, to share stories, it’s what life is all about. And that is how I spent my Summer Vacation.