Book Review: Flat Out by Rocky Robinson

Way back, when I was in high school, and they actually used chalk on the boards, I read an autobiography of Wilber Shaw. Shaw won the Indianapolis 500 three times back in the 1930s. What amazed me, at the time, was how the racing team would prepare the car for a race and then take it all apart to make sure they had assembled it correctly the first time.

I haven’t thought about that book in a good many years. Not until I read Rocky Robinson’s book Flat Out. Robinson currently holds the motorcycle land speed record - a sizzling 360.913 mph. Flat Out is about the quest for that record.

There is no argument that the streamliners in competition at Bonneville are sophisticated high-tech machines. Far superior to anything Shaw raced at Indy. It is the approach to the competition that I found interesting. Robinson starts the book with his employment at Bub Enterprises, where he becomes the driver in Denis Manning’s quest for the record. Manning’s machines were specially built from the ground up, with custom designed engines and computer driven functions. The pursuit of the record was done in by increasing speed in small increments.

Toward the end of Flat Out Robinson has an abrupt change of employment. He goes to work for Mike Akatiff, as driver for the Ack Attack streamliner. The Ack Attack is powered by two highly modified Hyabusa engines. Where Manning’s approach to the salt was in small measured speed steps, Akatiff’s approach was more, “Here it is. See how fast it will go.” More of the style of Shaw.

The conflict in Flat Out is competition between Manning’s Big Red (Robinson’s previous ride) and the Ack Attack (Robinson’s current ride). A record is set when two back-to-back runs are averaged through a timed mile of the twelve mile course. Down and back. One might think that as only one vehicle is on the course at the time there would be little feeling of competition. Not so. It is more like a gymnast competition where only one athlete is on the mat at a time. The course is only open for official competition during certain time frames each year. The attempt has to be good – and fast – during that frame, or come back next year. Then there may be water on the salt. Or, wind. Always, the wind. At 300+ mph wind is a major factor.

My one reservation about Flat Out is that it could use a little more depth in some areas. This is a perception probably only I would notice. Perception is uniquely individual. I just tend to enjoy books with more detail. For instance, at one point in the book, the Bub Enterprises team takes their streamliner Tenacious II to Lake Gairdner, Australia, for testing. Having spent quite a bit of time down under I was looking forward to a romp through the land of OZ. Unfortunately, while fun indeed, the romp was only one chapter. Then again, this is a racing book, not one of notorious pub crawls.

Robinson has done a great job in describing the behind the scenes world of the record seekers. His introduction is what hooked me into the book. In that, he vividly describes what it is like piloting a 300+ mph motorcycle. How the slightest weave can put the vehicle all over the course and possibly take the life of the driver. Bang! The transmission explodes. The smell of hot oil and methanol fill the cramped compartment. Will the deployed parachutes tangle?

Read Flat Out. Have an adventure in a world not many know about. I read the book. I enjoyed it. I hope you do as well. I think Wilber Shaw would have.

The Speed Excites Me: Part 2

Before we jump into the conclusion of Rocky’s interview, I would like to thank the folks at Motorbooks for helping me set up this interview. The photos were taken by Horst Rosler. Next time we will review Rocky’s book, Flat Out.

Stress Reduction

“The bike is so complicated the crew is working on it all the time,” said Rocky, after being asked how the Akatiff team handles stress. “As for me, the stress part of it, I am just out there to drive the thing. I am concerned with hitting my mark. As fast as I can. If I was afraid to do it, I would be the wrong guy to be in it. The speed excites me. I feel comfortable doing what I’m doing. A thrilling thing that only a handful of people have the opportunity to do.”

Rocky continued, “I’ll tell you something else I do each season to get ready for Bonneville. I do rock climbing. It doesn’t have anything to do with speed. It has to do with getting comfortable with being on the edge. It is a focus thing. I’m not real good with heights. There is something about the challenge I like.”

Different Directions

Rocky is also an aspiring novelist and working hard at a writing career. “I do a lot of writing now for the magazines, motorcycle stuff. I have a couple fiction books that I’ve written. To be honest with you the problem is the economy. All the publishing industry wants right now is a sure thing. They are looking for authors with proven success. In the fiction area I am an unknown. I am looking for someone to take a chance with me. To date I haven’t found that. I am trying to get my foot in the door.”

His books don’t deal with the motorcycle community, as one would expect. Rocky is trying to spread his options around a bit. “Motorcycling is a nitch market, whereas the fiction market is huge. It’s like racing. I am determined. I will keep pounding on doors until I do get into that market.” With that kind of fortitude I am sure he will.

Along the Writing Vein

What about a sequel to Flat Out? A 400mph final chapter? It is alluded to both on his website and in the book. “While I was still on the salt there was a couple out there that was intrigued by what was going on. We had just set the record. They weren’t involved in racing. He asked me: What do you do now? Do you just keep going faster until you kill yourself? He wasn’t being rude or anything. Curious. It kind of hit home. Mike and I believe our machine will go 400mph. We just don’t want to push it. If this record stands for many years there won’t be an attempt at it. If it were to get broken this year I am sure Mike would want to take another look. We aren’t going to make that decision until the record is broken.”

As we talked about the book, Flat Out, Rocky said, “I wish I could add a final chapter to it.”

The Speed Excites Me: Part 1

“Slow Down!” That’s usually what I hear from my wife when I am bouncing off walls like a high school wallflower that’s just been asked to the senior prom. Usually it’s because I am anticipating something exciting that is going to happen in my life. Granted, I don’t hear it very often. I doubt that Rocky Robinson hears it much either. Rocky is the fastest motorcyclist in the world and you don’t get that title by slowing down. I was anticipating talking to him one Friday morning a few weeks ago.

Beep. Beep. Beep, etc. Talk button. Ring (once). “Hello.” I had him on the line. Thus started one of the most pleasant thirty-five minutes I have had in awhile. Rocky is the real thing: nice, accommodating and a good sense of humor. He comes across so low key it is hard to believe that he pilots streamliners across the salt at over 360mph. One would imagine a tougher more aggressive stance. Nope! Just nice and easy. Kind of like his last two speed passes on the salt. Record breaking passes.

Not wanting to be too aggressive myself, I started by asking him if he rode much on the street, or was it too dangerous. Tact is my middle name. Come to find out, he doesn’t. “I don’t do a lot of riding on the street, and I do feel more comfortable on the race track or a closed course. I have access to a bunch of Harley Davidsons that I take out before I go to Bonneville. Something I can manhandle.” So much for tact.

Salt Strategy

I was curious as to the two approaches to Bonneville I picked up from his book, Flat Out. One was Denis Manning’s methodical easy steps approach. Rocky started out riding for Manning. Manning’s team would approach the land speed record in small measured steps. “Take it slow and get lots of data,” Rocky said. When Rocky moved on to the Mike Akatiff team the approach changed. On piloting the Ack Attack streamliner, “If it feels right go for it. If it doesn’t feel right (at 300+mph!) shut it down and pull off.” Kind of makes it sound like turning into a fast food place.

This is where it got interesting. There was another speed approach I didn’t pick up. Sam Wheeler’s E-Z Hook team – always a competitive threat on the salt – goes with being lightweight and aerodynamic with only 300hp. Rocky enlightened me, “The year they (Manning’s Bub team) got the record Sam was faster. Fastest guy on two wheels several times. He’s just never got the record outright.” No back to back record setting runs. “We (the Bub team and the Ack Attack team) do it with horsepower. We are putting out almost four times the horsepower than what Sam is. His bike only weighs about 1100 pounds, where ours weighs about 2000 pounds. The whole approach is different.”

Now, I can’t imagine piloting anything with 300hp, much less one with nearly 1200hp. To get an idea of what we are talking about visit http://www.rocky-robinson.com/. There are two video clips – and lots links – that are must watch. The first is Rocky’s record breaking run. The second is where the Ack Attack goes down the previous year. It frightened me and I was just watching a two year old video. That fallen streamliner just keeps sliding down the salt. For perspective, watch how long it takes the ambulance to reach the bike. A thrilling part of his book is the description of that ride.

This Really is a True Story

Not long ago I stopped into a fast food establishment for an almost drinkable cup of coffee. The place hadn’t filled with the normal grab a bite lunch timers. There were some teens at one table, seniors at others, and a construction crew back in the corner. At one table sat an elderly woman in a wheelchair, nursing a cold cup of coffee. A partially filled helium balloon sagged from one of the grips.

I watched the lady for awhile. She looked at everyone walking by her with hopeful anticipation. Sometimes people looked back. Some nodded in her direction. Most did not. I don’t know how she got there, alone in the chair. But, there she was.

Then the boys arrived. I knew they were coming. I could hear the Harleys three blocks away. Four guys dressed in Levis and leather with badges and patches and rockers on their back. You know the type. What surprised me was that they actually stopped for fast food. This wasn’t a pub. When they walked in, everyone paid attention. As they came through the door like gangbusters they looked around, much like a cop on a bar check. Check out the scene. Identify the problem before it is a problem. They placed and received their orders, got their soft drinks and went to a quiet corner away from people, but near enough where people could stare at them.
One didn’t. He took his tray and approached the old lady in the wheelchair. I could only hear one side of the conversation. The lady spoke so softly. I will let you put in the body language. It went something like this:

“Hi. How are you doin’? Hey, look, it is kinda crowded in here today, would you mind if I shared your table?

“So how are you? You don’t mind if I talk to you, do you? I don’t know anyone around here and get a little lonesome.

“Yep! Sure do. Ride a Harley Davidson.

“You and your husband used to ride? Wow! I sure would like to get my hands on one of those. Here, share some of my fries. I can’t finish them.” The biker ate maybe three fries total.

As he sipped his Coke, I watched the old lady transform into an animated individual, excited to talk about her memories. The biker would throw out a few open ended questions and let her talk.

“Oh, man. Look at that. They gave me a chicken sandwich instead of a cheeseburger. I hate chicken. Do you want it.” pushing the ordered sandwich toward her.

“That is quite the rig you have there. Bet you get great gas mileage.

This went on for however long it took his buddies to finish their meals. When they left, he made his excuses to the lady and joined his friends outside.

As the thunder roared off down the street I studied the old lady. For awhile she sat smiling. Someone had paid attention to her. Then as the clock ticked she went back to her solitary life, hoping for someone else to notice her. Like the sagging balloon with life gone out of it.

Me? I rode down the street to the nursing home to visit my mother.

Getting Started

First off, I am not a computer techie. I struggle with computers because they have become a way of life, not a pleasant alternative. So, please bear with me while I learn the ins-and-outs of working my blog.

Secondly, I am not a mechanic. I can follow a technical discussion, but you will not hear me contribute to it. I have mastered the task of changing the oil in my bike, but not much more.

This is a blog about people; people in the motorcycling community. I happen to be a non-denominational motorcyclist. No particular brand or lifestyle attracts me more than any other. That makes everyone in the motorcycle community game. I like talking to those active in the community, and even some not so currently active.

This blog will address those individuals. I will be doing Little Interviews with Big People. I will be posting the interviews and profiles of a multitude of personalities: the world’s land speed record holder for motorcycles, and review his book; the product manager for a motorcycle manufacturing company, who explains what it takes to put a motorcycle on the road, from concept to dealership; the outlaw turned preacher; a man that went AWOL from the British Army to be in Brighton for the 1963 Bank Holiday confrontation between the Mods and Rockers; the man that started a charity run that turned into a medical foundation because of his promise to a little girl; and, another that set a record at Bonneville at 73 years young, with one eye and nine fingers.

I will review books and talk to their authors. A book becomes more personal when the reader has had the opportunity to talk to the author.

On occasion I may throw in a product review, or make comments regarding something seen, or said.

Mostly, I want to have fun and share some of the interesting folks I have had the opportunity to talk with. And, those I am going to talk with.

I welcome comments, feedback and suggestions. I may not be able to respond to everyone, but your contribution will be read and noted. I thank you in advance.

I suppose I should mention the rules. I will not tolerate racist or bigoted speech, sexually explicit content, discussions or descriptions of violent or criminal acts, unlicensed copyrighted material, or threats, harassment, or personal privacy violations.

Now, let me go and figure out what I need to do next.