Fastest motorbike on ice – racing – Feb 2019
With Ice Speed Week in Sweden finished, I am pleased to announce, myself and the MADMAX “Green Monster’ bike is still in one piece – Just! Racing on ice is not easy or for the faint of heart. Approaching 300 kmh + is difficult, due to tyre strength and stability, that we found out big time. On Friday, on his very first ice run, Zef reached a crazy 256kmh (160mph) with two flat tyres, as they both punctured at high speed, due to the Stainless Steel internal carcass snapping in the tyre, puncturing the inner tube. On run 2, the front tyre punctured again, due to another metal band snapping, causing an extreme tank slapper at 180kmh (113mph). After being given a new front tyre (with no steel banding), Zef approached 230kmh (143mph) when the bike went into a big front speed wobble, as all the front brakes hoses were ripped off, due to the tyre expanding so much, the spikes clipped the brake hoses. After getting one brake working, I went out again, this time with Stainless steel protective banding on the outside of the front tyre to stop it growing. At 283kmh (176mph) with just 70% throttle, the steel banding around the front tyre snapped and sliced the radiator open, causing the engine to rapidly over heat and cause coolant to spray everywhere! The bike was performing in the cold weather really well and there was an easy 300kmh + awaiting, but without strong enough tyres or a working radiator, it was game over. Kristian was kind enough to lend me his 1000cc ice race bike. On the first run with a 260kmh on the clock, the rear tyre exploded, hitting me in the back with tyre, bolts and shrapnel. I managed to control the bike well and brought it to a stop, without coming off or dropping the bike. Then the emergency vehicles and ambulance arrived, etc… Fortunately due to a very strong Dainese back protector I was uninjured and was dropped off back to the race start to everyone’s relief and applause. So after all the crazy shit, I ended up with the 2nd fastest top bike speed at 283kmh, before the cracked radiator took the bike out of action. It’s been the craziest, maddest race event ever. I love the people, they are super friendly. Next year team MADMAX will be back with far more knowledge, insight and bullet proof tyres and radiator, so we can hit the big 300 kmh speeds and beyond…