Anyone who hasn’t discovered the literary offerings of Paul Carter is missing a real treat.
I have just finished his fourth book, titled Ride Like Hell and You’ll Get There … Detours into Mayhem. It’s a great yarn in which Carter details his efforts to set a world speed record for a bio diesel-powered motorcycle on the salt at Lake Gairdner.
The project was a collaboration between Carter, Dr Colin Kestell and Adelaide University. Fuel was supplied by Linc Energy, an Australian company producing an experimental fuel called “Clean Diesel”. The bike itself was a purpose-built 4m-long behemoth made of steel, with a 60 horsepower Holden Astra diesel engine mated to a five-speed Harley Dyna gearbox. In essence it was a totally Aussie effort to knock off the unofficial record of 130mph (210km/h) set on the salt at Bonneville in 2007.
The book is loosely based around the trials and tribulations of Carter’s attempts between 2011 and 2013. I won’t spoil it for you by telling you whether it had a happy ending, because the journey is the main story. In typical Carter style the book covers all aspects of his incredibly diverse and interesting life during this period. He is a gifted raconteur who has that happy knack of making you feel like you are right there living it with him.
This story is from the July 2017 edition of Australian Road Rider.
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This story is from the July 2017 edition of Australian Road Rider.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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