Run 13
“I had done battle with a great fear, and the victory was mine.” – Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
We arrived at the track at 7:10 am. The crew already had the truck and trailer in line waiting for the course to open. Tom and Rick had the RV all set up. The vehicles that had broken a record the day before had to go first and do it again to confirm their new record. There were eight of them and they began their runs at 8:08 am. The waiting is no fun.
At 8:46 it was my turn. This was it.
I stayed right on the new salt. I shifted through the gears, my powerful machine under me responding obediently, with a beautiful note. I started the week as a rookie. We all start a new thing as a beginner, but we can’t let that stop us. Now I was competent. I knew what to do.
I watched the speedo come up, and up, and up. 199..200…201…202…..203…..204.
It stayed above 200 from mile 2 ¼ to mile 4 when I got into a rut and got wheelspin that slowed us down to 200 and then 199. I knew I had it.
I slowly rolled the throttle down after mile five and when my speed was below 90 I turned out toward the return road through the ungroomed crunchy salt and touched the back brake to gently stop. I shut the engine off and waited for my chase truck and crew.
A very old man in a very beat-up truck, obviously a seasoned SCTA volunteer of many many years rolled up to me and thanked me for coming and asked if I was ok. I took my helmet off and told him that I just broke 200. Out there on the salt, with just me and the old stranger, I had an emotional release. Without words, he well understood.
Minutes later, my team pulled up. They had heard the speeds on the radio on their way out to me and erupted in celebration in the truck when they heard the results – 202.32. My girl Marie ran out of the truck to me. She squealed and hugged me, and we cried together. My team gave us a minute and then joined us.
We had done it.
We celebrated out there on the salt. Chris was smiling ear to ear. We took a photo – Me, Marie, Chris and Karen, Jeff Russell and Dean.
It was a beautiful moment.
One you work for, and risk for, and live for.
Great story Larry, thank you for sharing!
Chance encounter, great crew, qualified risk and ability…perfect combination for success. Well done.
Great job and story!
Congratulations and know that I am rejoicing with you in this accomplishment!
Congratulations Larry and Team. I really enjoyed following your day by day story telling. I was part of a team that broke 200mph back in the 80’s and know how hard it is to do this. Great accomplishment!
It was an absolute beautiful moment in time.. I was fun and exciting at the same time! Thank you Larry for the invite.. I’m really glad I got to see you share that moment with people who care and love you! Goal achieved!
Congrats Larry! Your adventures in life, wether business or personal, have always inspired me. Thank you for sharing them with us!
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your story.
A beautiful moment that seized all of us. So glad to have been a part of this journey.
What a great story – enjoyed following the progression!
Congratulations Larry! Exciting to hear the story and the lessons each day!
Congratulations to you and your team Larry! I knew you would do it. I am also super happy to see you have “a girl”. 🙂 Happy for you!
Congratulations Larry. Glad to hear that you made it over 200mph.
Congratulations to Team Larry.