LAND SPEED RECORDS BROKEN BY MOTO GUZZI

By Denny Hartwig
hartwig@motoworld.net

It was a record-breaking weekend for Walter Barlow's Moto Guzzi crew. Barlow, who hails from Spotswood, N.J., completed his goals of breaking the land speed records in both the 1000cc push-rod production and partial streamline production gas classes last weekend in Bonneville, Utah.

In the 1000cc push-rod production class, which features an almost-stock machine minus the motor modifications, Barlow snapped the record by 15 mph, posting a booming 134-mph. Todd Ross of Pointe Lucie, Fla., piloted the Moto Guzzi past the old record which was held by Harley-Davidson.

Mitch Freshour, of Columbus, Ohio, was scheduled to be the team's back up rider but ended up taking care of business in the partial streamline production gas class. Freshour posted a record-breaking 142-mph run, which shattered the earlier existing record by 22 mph.

Russel Duke, who prepped the bikes' engines, worked great in the short amount of time he had to tune the record-breaking machines.

The undertaking of the mission fell into the lap of Barlow, by accident, months ago. "Earlier this year I read an article that talked about the Harley-Davidson record, and I posted a message on a message board stating that a Moto Guzzi could beat that record," Barlow said. "Right away there was a lot of talk about the post, then it wore out. A few days later Sheldon Aubut (a friend of Walter Barlow's) did the same thing, and the response was exactly the same."

Barlow then sent Aubut an e-mail about finding the right person to conduct this expedition. "I told Sheldon that I would be in charge if no one responded," Barlow said. "The next day there was a post by Sheldon saying that I would lead the team in Bonneville. I wasn't ready to back out, so I took matters into my own hands."

The pressure was on Barlow as he started to assemble his crew; it would end up as a 10-man entourage that would accent the bike that Sindney Conn suppiled. Although the crew would work collaboratively, practically none of the crew knew one another before huddling at Bonneville.

"The entire crew was set up via the Internet," Barlow said. "I met Ross at an event called 'Ducks Fly South,' and Freshour in Alabama at the Barber Museum, so we weren't very familiar with one another."

Speed wasn't the only attention-getter in Bonneville. Conn, whose company is The Ballon Works/Firefly Ballons, asked Barlow if he could bring a balloon to the Salt Flats for the event. Naturally, he agreed. Much to his surprise, a 70' balloon, which was certified to fly around the world, made an appearance at Bonneville.

The quest to hold all of the land speed records has just begun for Barlow and his crew. "Next year we are thinking about going after other records," Barlow said.

Just days after the record was broken, Harley fans were ready to retaliate. Barlow says that although it isn't his main focus, he will defend the titles his team just earned if they have to. The most coveted record they are going to chase is the one in the 1350cc division, which is currently owned by Buell/Harley-Davidson.

http://www.inredllc.com/lsrguzzi/