Team Punisher runs the Texas Mile

[LUCKY DAVE]

The Texas Mile is a land speed event, but in contrast to Bonneville or dry lake events it is a standing start one mile run, with speed measured at the end. Since high powered vehicles do not approach their ultimate speed in a mile, (for example the Bugatti Veryon takes roughly 8 miles to reach top speed, most go fast exotics are similar) this is a cross between Bonneville and a drag strip.
Team Punisher consists of myself and my two buddies Marc Rittner and Micah Shoemaker. We ran the Texas Mile March 24-27 2011 on our bike, an Aprilia RSV, our third time to run this event.
Our bike is a twin cylinder 1060cc Italian sport bike, but with a few refinements for land speed racing.
The mods include a lengthened chassis to control wheelies, custom aero package, a highly modified engine with a belt driven supercharger (12 psi boost) water/methanol spray for charge cooling as there's no room for an intercooler, and a "wet" nitrous oxide system. Engine and ancillary controls are a custom Megasquirt ecu built by Marc. The quick shifter cuts spark/fuel/nitrous as it shifts without the clutch at full throttle. Shifts take 50 milliseconds to complete.
Power output is 360-380 RWHP @ 11,000 rpm depending on nitrous load, and the bike weighs around 400 pounds..
We have spent 2-1/2 years on this project, it has been a lot of fun, and all three of us ride it.
My best pass this weekend, 192.8 mph.
Words alone are inadequate to describe what it's like, how hard it is to ride a perfect pass with all that power, how you're just getting good traction at the 1/4 mile mark at 150 mph, how your peripheral vision is a blur at speed, how stinkin fast it is!
It snaps through sixth gear like normal 1000cc sport bikes snap through first.

btw, cars that "go fast" there are small and light and make 2000+ hp....

[ttweed]

My best pass this weekend, 192.8 mph.

You are GNARLY, Dave! 192 mph on a bike!?!?!? I haven't ever gone that fast in a car yet! Heck, I've flown airplanes that wouldn't go that fast unless you pointed them straight down.
I remember your post and pics from last year. Sounds like the time and development you've put in has paid off.

[Rsylvestri]

+1 Dave!!!
One of these days maybe 200mph, IN A CAR

[AGill]

Dave, nice work on a great success! I remember talking with you about your little "project" at the PDS instructor dinner and was really impressed with your passion for what you were doing. It's nice to see things went well this year and I'm sure you guys will build upon this season for even better years to come. Stay safe out there...192mph on the ground is something very few people can say they have accomplished...you're a crazy SOB though

[Mike]

Have a safe day on the bike.
Closer to home did you consider the Mohave mile?
http://www.mojavemile.com/

Hope to see 170mph or better with my 10 year old daily driver sports car...
but will have to wait for the fall event.
on the rev limiter at 200mph.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=385cr1zQyLA