SPIDER RIDER PAUL THEDE SETS NEW ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE WORLD SPEED RECORD
Spider Rider Paul Thede has set a new land speed record by becoming the first electric motorcycle rider to exceed
200 mph during the Bonneville Salt Flats Speed Week, Aug. 13-19, 2011.
The Lightning Electric SuperBike achieved an average speed of 215.960 mph with a best speed of 218.637 mph –
more than 35 miles-per-hour faster than the previous SCTA record of 176.434 mph, held by Ritches/Nelson set in August 2009.
Thede and Lightning Motorcycle’s record is recognized by the Southern California Timing
Association/Bonneville Nationals Inc. (SCTA/BNI).
In the required two run process, the motorcycle ridden by Paul Thede, principal of Race Tech and the developer of
the Lightning SuperBike’s suspension system, made a run of 214.209 mph, followed by a return run of 217.712 mph, with a top speed of 218.637 mph in the last mile.
Spider Grips thanks Paul Thede for including our grips on his technological advanced motorcycle, and salutes him for his new membership in the Bonneville 200 Mile Per Hour Club – the first Electric Motorcycle rider to be inducted into this august community.
“Our team was confident and excited to participate at the Bonneville Salt Flats, which is the ultimate proving ground to validate the performance of our Lightning SuperBike,” said Richard Hatfield, CEO of Lightning Motorcycle.
“We not only succeeded in shattering our previous record, but we confirmed that electric motorcycles will be an important part of our industry’s future.”
The Lightning Electric SuperBike features a Remy HVH250TM electric propulsion motor, an Ener1 battery pack and additional enhancements.