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The
weather all weekend had been horrendous. Sadly, there had even
been fatalities due to the high winds and localised flooding.
It was not looking good by Sunday for Dave Coates' attempt at
breaking his own World Record for riding backwards. Dave true
to form though remained ever optimistic. |
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Arriving
at the location for the attempt on Monday morning at 9:30am, the
sky was clear, the sun was out and the wind moderate, but blowing
down, rather than across, Elvington Airstrip in York. For those
who don't know the location, it's adjacent to the Air Museum,
but there were other ideas of what should be 'flying' today. Dodge,
'Mr Wheely King' was also joining Dave and Sandra for his own
World Record attempt at the word's fastest wheelie. |
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Dave
and Sandra arrived at 9:30, both smiling, as ever, and proceeded
down the airstrip to meet Trevor (Streetfighter's ever present
timing entrepreneur) who had already arrived to set up the equipment.
The liveried Dave Coates Stunt Show vehicle parked off the airstrip
probably about a 1/4 of the distance from the start of the 2 mile
strip, next to the timing gear and started to empty the vehicle
of it's both splendid and expensvie equipment. |
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The
machinery out of the van, Dave announced that he had never ridden
the newly supplied Yamaha R1 (with custom cut-out tank !) yet,
and proceeded to take several runs, facing forwards at first,
to familiarise himself with the bike. It soon became apparent
that Dave's arms weren't quite long enough to reach behind him,
but following more 'practice', he managed to get a grip (no pun
intended) of the reverse style of riding ! |
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the same time, Dodge was practicing his wheelys up and down the
now buzzing airstrip. Family, friends, Sponsors and even the Tyne
Tees local televesion news crew were all on hand to witness the
attempts at all 3 World Records, since Dave had now announced
that he and Sandra would attempt the World Record for two on a
bike, BOTH facing backwards ! Absolutely nuts, all of them ! |
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Dave's
first attempt yielded an excellent 143.5mph. The record to beat
(which Dave already holds) is 146.8mph. Not bad for a first attempt
! Several more attempts, totalling no more than 3 gave Dave the
record he had been looking for. 150.1mph. Perfect !!! At the same
time. Dodge was achieving very close runs to his 126mph (again,
held by himself) but the camber was pulling him towards the field. |
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As
Dave arrived back to the timing van, rounds of applause could
be hard as far as Darlington ! Well, nearly, but not quite i suppose
! But everyone was extremely pleased with the smashing of the
record. Some 1 hour later and several more attempts, and Dodge
managed to smash his 126mph record by over 10mph. What a day for
these lads. |
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| Everyone
thought that was it until Dave quietly announced that 'now the
pressure's off, i'm gonna go enjoy meself and have another go!"
.......and off he rode into the wind (well, it wasn't quite sunset
yet !). Several more attempts and he broke the record again, this
time 151.7mph. Everyone again was over the moon with the result.
Dave arriving back smiling, tells Sandra to get her leathers on
as it was now her turn ! |
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Sandra,
ever the good sport, entered the van and returned several minutes
later in her leather with ther trademark grin, from ear to ear
! She's as loopy as Dave !!! It was now the turn of Dave's Yamaha
Fazer 1000 to provide them with an attempt to break the World
Record at riding backwards, two up ! Following several attempts,
the maximum speed reached was 137.6mph. Great, they had set a
new World Record. |
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This
may have been helped by Dave's new patented back-mounted flower
vase ! If the truth be told, it was an R1 'double-bubble' screen
which was gaffa-taped to Dave's leathers (on his back obviously
!) to assist with airflow. All in all a fantastic day for Dave,
Sandra and Dodge, Three World Records set or broken and all present
enjoyed the day immensely. Roll on the next attempt !!!!! |
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