KIWI RIDER MAY 2021 VOL1 | Page 32

So for the second run he kept his head down best he could , although still had to look up to follow the course marker . While it had got up to 177mph , that looking up at course markers cost him 12mph . As well , the bike would again drift down the camber and at one stage was nearly on the single verge . A close call , but he bagged a new world sidecar record at 162mph . The pair received a trophy and 1000 pounds for their efforts , and yes , as agreed they split the cash . They then went on a promotional trip to the UK and the USA , but in 1956 gave up record attempts . Interestingly , Wright never rode his Vincent on the road and had no inclination to .
But Burns on the other hand had owned bikes all his life and was stilll riding well into his seventies . In 1975 a memorial for their efforts was unveiled on Tram Road and both proudly attended . Bob Burns passed away in 1993 aged 83 and Russell Wright was also 83 when he passed away in 2013 .
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