Bill Warner crashes trying 300mph in one mile

[MarkH]

Prayers go out to his family. What a tragedy...


LIMESTONE, ME -- Officials say a Florida motorcycle racer trying to top 300 mph died after losing control and crashing at an annual speed trial event in northern Maine.

The Loring Timing Association says 44-year-old Bill Warner of Wimauma, Fla., crashed Sunday during The Maine Event, a race being held on a runway at the former Loring Air Force Base.

Race Director Tim Kelly says Warner was clocked at 285 mph before he lost control. He says Warner was conscious and talking as he was taken from the scene but died later at a hospital.

Warner rides a modified turbocharged Suzuki Hayabusa. He previously hit 311 mph on the same course in 2011, using 1.5 miles of pavement. This time he was trying to hit 300 mph using just a mile of pavement.

 

[gtjoey]

MarkH, I was out on the north Fork. Are we speaking about the son of the same Bill Warner who runs Amelia and all the rest?
GTJOEY1314

 

[jaxgt]

Not same Bill W as Amelia.

 

[beckertb]

Godspeed my Friend. You will be missed here.....

ben

 

[Fast Freddy]

RIP Bill. here is a pic of him on his bike at Mojave. he holds the track record in the mile at Mojave with a speed of 274.8 mph

http://mojavemile.com/

^^^^ - scroll down to the bottom of the page to see his pic

 

[Fast Freddy]

here is a vid of him goin 290 mph at the 2012 Loring race > http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/Fla-motorcycle-racer-crashes-at-260-mph-in-Maine-.html

 

[soroush]

Rip

 

[Empty Pockets]

Does anyone know exactly why he lost control? I'm assuming something on the bike 'failed'???

I hate these stories. Prayers for all affected...

 

[Fast Freddy]

here is the vid > http://www.wcsh6.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=2545152570001&odyssey=mod

he hit 296 mph on his first run in the morning :eek

Godspeed Bill

 

[Fast Freddy]

Does anyone know exactly why he lost control? I'm assuming something on the bike 'failed'???

I hate these stories. Prayers for all affected...

he lost control of the bike after the finish line when he was slowing down :frown

with a bike like he had it doesn't take much of a crosswind at that speed to wreck....

 

[Empty Pockets]

Regardless - it sux.

Pockets

 

[Fast Freddy]

Regardless - it sux.

Pockets

Craig Breedloves jet powered "Spirit of America" streamliner had the same problem at Black Rock in 1996 when he crashed at 675 mph as a result of a crosswind. the aero design of both of these vehicles was not stable in a crosswind. Bill's was by far the worst though as it was just a Giant flying billboard of a sail with a short wheelbase and very HIGH center of gravity aero wise.

the aero design of the Ford GT is the safest of all the vehicles i have ever seen on a runway when it comes to crosswinds....

 

[Brombear]

Tragic for his family - RIP

I still wonder about 300mph on a 2 wheeler - I already get nervous at 200mph with my GT and would freak my pants out at 300, but on a BIKE ?

 

[djs]

"I still wonder about 300mph on a 2 wheeler - I already get nervous at 200mph with my GT and would freak my pants out at 300, but on a BIKE ?"

Amen to that, brother. My brother used to drive a Kawasaki ZX12 R at some ludicrous speeds. Driving in the GT is a walk in the park in comparison.

 

[Xcentric]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/18/sports/bill-warner-set-speed-record-on-motorcycle-dies-at-44.html

 

[RALPHIE]

R.I.P. - He died doing the thing he loved most. We should all be so fortunate!

 

[skyrex]

I met him when he set the Mojave record at 274 and chatted a bit. Very nice guy......only a year older than me.

I was next to go after he set the record so I saw him launch the bike....and it was honestly scary to watch. I am so sad this happened and my heart goes out to him and his family.

 

[mmlcobra]

Rip!

 

[pe2unia]

I met him when he set the Mojave record at 274 and chatted a bit. Very nice guy......only a year older than me.

I was next to go after he set the record so I saw him launch the bike....and it was honestly scary to watch. I am so sad this happened and my heart goes out to him and his family.

Yes Tom I remember him as well.....Here is a picture of him getting his recognition and I am in the background. R.I.P