STEVE HAMEL AND HIS VINCENT MOTORCYCLE BREAK ROLLIE FREE’S 1948 LAND SPEED RECORD

Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah - The legendary Rollie Free set the American motorcycle speed record here at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1948 aboard a Vincent HRD Black Shadow, resulting in one of the most famous images in motorcycle history, that of Free lying prone on his bike in a bathing suit worn to combat wind resistance as he set his record. His time of 150.313 mph has now been bested by Steve Hamel and his own 1950 Vincent.

Hamel’s Sterling Cycle Works in Saint Paul, Minnesota is known world-wide as a premier British motorcycle restoration shop specializing in Vincents. Hamel has dreamed of breaking Rollie Free’s record since his first Vincent purchase in 1979. His next goal is to break Burt Munro’s record of 183.586, made famous in the film, “The World’s Fastest Indian.”

October 14, 2006 has been declared, “Steve Hamel and His Marvelous Vincent Race Bike Day” by the Saint Paul City council.