Ron Cook's Land Speed Records
Other after-hours achievements by a WSM employee are Ron Cook's land speed records. Ron Cook is our production manager, and over the past couple of years, has obtained several land speed records. His efforts at the track help him hone his skills for his day-to-day duties at WSM. As production manager, Ron needs to have excellent technical skills. He needs to be able to coordinate large projects and act as a liason between manufacturing and engineering. He also needs excellent people skills in order to deal with customers and vendors alike.
Ron's pursuit has more than challenged him in all of these areas. His success is the result of hard work and many hours of sacrificed personal time.
Current records held: 161.179 MPH, MUROC, 4-96, A-GAS, 1000CC 168.282 MPH, EL MIRAGE, 9-96, A-GAS, 1000CC 172.416 MPH, EL MIRAGE, 11-96, A-GAS, 1000CC 183.971 MPH, MUROC, 4-97, A-FUEL, 1000CC 181.702 MPH, EL MIRAGE, 5-97, A-FUEL, 1000CC 185.989 MPH, EL MIRAGE, 6-97, A-FUEL, 1000CC 172.690 MPH, BONNEVILLE, 8-97, A-FUEL, 1000CC 173.048 MPH, BONNEVILLE, 8-97, M-FUEL, 1000CC 188.391 MPH, EL MIRAGE, 9-97, A-FUEL, 1350CC 178.879 MPH, BONNEVILLE, 9-97, M-GAS, 1350CC 181.742 MPH, BONNEVILLE, 9-97, A-GAS, 1350CC 195.103 MPH, EL MIRAGE, 11-97, A-FUEL, 1350CC
PRESS RELEASE:
Motorcycle Land Speed Record Broken
Ron Cook Racing also received the top speed of meet honors at the September 1997 U.S.F.R.A. World of Speed at Bonneville Salt Flats (183.102MPH). He also secured the #1 motorcycle points championship for the 1997 racing season with the Southern California Timing Association. Also earning a lifetime membership.
Ron Cook's goals in 1998 include being the first unfaired, naturally aspirated motorcycle to go over 200 MPH and breaking the partially streamlined world record of 202 MPH. You can add your company name along with other successful sponsors which include: N.O.S. Systems, Dynatek Electronics, Cometic Gaskets, C & W Cycleworks, Richard Sims Eng., Arias Piston and NGK by calling (805) 683-4434.
His picture is on the front cover of the official 1998 Bonneville 50th anniversary rulebook and will appear on the official Bonneville "T"shirt for 1998. He is also featured in the 1998 N.O.S. products catalog along with N.O.S. ads in national motorcycle magazines.
Ron is also the recipient of the Athlete of the Year for Open Division Motor Sports awarded by the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table.
Additionally, Ron has been asked to participate in a new program on the TV show Extreme Machines (TLC). The program is about "record breakers" and there is a possibility of installing mini-cameras on Ron's bike during a future record attempt so that viewers can enjoy the rush from the safety of their couch.