Thunder Roads Magazine of Oklahoma/Arkansas October 2017_web | Page 20

FEATURES
SPIRIT OF MUNRO 50TH ANNIVERSARY 2017
INDIAN SCOUT SETS NEW LAND SPEED RECORD
DURING TESTING AT EL MIRAGE DRY LAKEBED
EL MIRAGE, CA (July 20,
2017) – In preparation for the
Burt Munro 50th anniversary
commemorative run, Indian
Motorcycle has set three new
land speed records, according
to the Southern California
Timing Association (SCTA).
Burt Munro’s great nephew,
Lee Munro, and a pair of Indian
Motorcycle technicians entered
the record books on July 16 at El
Mirage Dry Lakebed.
“When you’re breaking
records during test runs, you
know your machine is on point.
Our team of engineers has done
an incredible job on the Spirit of
Munro commemorative Scout.”
said Gary Gray, Vice President –
Product Development for Indian
Motorcycle. “Running within a
different class has allowed Lee to
truly honor his great uncle Burt.
As Burt’s record still stands, Lee
now joins Burt within the record
book.”
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Thunder Roads Magazine of OK/AR
First among the three Indian
riders was Chet Michaelson,
engine calibration technician at
Indian Motorcycle. In the M-PG
(Modified-Pushrod
Gasoline)
2000cc class, riding a 2015
Indian Chief Classic, Chet
eclipsed the record of 151 MPH
with a speed of 154.132 MPH.
The second Indian rider
was Lee Munro – aboard the
Spirit of Munro 50th anniversary
2017 Indian Scout. Competing
in the MPS-G (Modified Partial
Streamliner) 1350cc class, Lee
needed to exceed 167 MPH for
a new record. After completing
his rookie runs during the May
meet at El Mirage, this was the
first chance to let the bike loose
and explore its potential. Lee
recorded a speed of 186.681
MPH, a new record and the
Indian team was two for two.
The third and final Indian
rider was Dan Gervais, senior
engine calibration technician
at Indian Motorcycle. Dan was
competing in the M-G (Modified-
Gasoline) 1350cc class with
a lightly modified 2015 Indian
Scout. Like Lee Munro, Dan also
completed his rookie runs at the
May meet at El Mirage. Dan’s
speed of 154.354 MPH edged
out the 153 MPH record and
gave Indian its third record of the
day.
“It’s an incredible feat to
join my great uncle Burt within
the land speed record book.”
said Lee Munro, the grandson
of Burt’s first cousin. “Indian has
been a great partner in not only
providing me with an incredible
machine, but providing me with
an opportunity to recognize and
honor all Burt Munro did for
motorcycling.”
On August 12 and 13, Lee
Munro will pilot the modern
Indian Scout with a powertrain
modified by the Indian Motorcycle
engineering team. The attempt