08/25/2026
Unfortunately, due to a minor ignition failure, Berry Wardlaw suffered significant engine damage. We were an hour into reclaiming the front piston and it was going well. We started on the rear piston and found that a significant portion of the piston ring land between the top and 2nd ring was missing.
Does that make this trip a failure? Not hardly. When attempting things like this, you are testing every single system on the bike at levels it was never intended to see. You are pushing things to their absolute maximum and holding them their by their throat.
So what can the Assalt Weapan: The Return team take away from this? First and foremost, they made it here and ran a personal best of 144 mph!!! With that said, just getting a machine like this to Bonneville is a monumental undertaking. You think you've thought of everything and find out several times that you have not. Secondly, getting through scrutineering/tech. Again, you've built to the rule book. You've dotted every I, and crossed every T and you've still missed a couple of small things. You return to the pit and correct those issues.
Now add in the fact that you are likely at an elevation that you have done your best with your machine and experience to adjust to. You WILL have to make additional adjustments to be at your best. Next up is putting on all of your gear and heading to staging. Its almost 100° and you can be assured that you will be in staging for at least an hour. You're next at the stripe, turn the ignition on, turn the fuel on, hit the starter button and wait until you are given the signal to take off.
And this is where you get to find out how well you have done in preparation. A million things going through your mind, not the least of which is the absolute thrill that these pilots must feel as the clutch is released, you're here! You're actually doing it!! Two miles at full throttle, the measured mile is coming, keep shifting, keep cracking that throttle!!
How would I compare what a team like this goes through to what we do? Its not all that different, but at the same time, its incredibly different. In my opinion, everything is elevated by a factor of ten. There are literally hundreds of things that have to line up in order to even make a pass. I have talked to teams this week that have been at this for years and have only managed a pass or two, some have never even been down the track!!
Its been a remarkable experience in every way imaginable. A million thanks to Berry Wardlaw for inviting us to be a part of it all. A million more thanks to Vivian Gypsy Charros for her grace and kindness and for making a desolate, dried up lake bed feel like home. Thanks to Chuck Kennedy and Larry Phillips for showing what a love for a man and his machine really means. These two gentlemen are remarkable in every single way and I look forward to getting to spend more time with them in the future. Thank you to Ridewith Dirtyharry for running to and fro chasing the dreaded "CRAP, WE FORGOT THIS THAT AND EVERYTHING!!" Thank you to Timothy Whitehead for so many things it would take a page to list them all.
Thank you to my amazing bride, Keri Rogers for allowing me the time, freedom and finances to pursue my love of speed. And Lastly, thank you to my Brother Brad Emerson for saying yes to me 14 years ago when I asked him if he wanted to go racing.
Congratulations to Assalt Weapan: The Return for an amazing few days and for all of their accomplishments. I have every bit of faith that 200 mph will be attained in the not too distant future.
Next up is a 19 hour drive back to the prairie. I'll see YOU in the PASSING LANE BABY!!!
