"We had to add a couple more criteria to this show and recruited judges familiar with race cars," Godshall said. "We looked at the functionality of the design, the design purpose (some cars were built for specific races), and the historical significance of the vehicles. Some are the first of their genre or the last of their kind before some design criteria changed."
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| Canadian Bob Williams, owner of the Arrow Race Team, sits proudly next to the motorcycle that set the world's record in 2003 for a 600cc motorcycle--201 mph--at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. (Photo: Joe Cabadas, Canadian Auto Press) |
The show has traditionally been held at the historical estate of Henry Ford's late son, who died in 1943. However, two years ago the show was held at DaimlerChrysler's North American headquarters in Auburn Hills and last year it was at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren (both located in Michigan).
Among the participants came Bob Williams, the owner of Team Arrow Racing of Windsor, Ont., whose two-wheeler won the title of being the world's fastest 600 cc motorcycle in August 2003, achieving a top speed of 201 miles per hour (325.63 km/h) at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
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| The cockpit of the Arrow 600cc racing motorcycle features a gas pedal that says "faster" and instructions with the handlebar steering wheel that says, "Wide open until you see God, then brake." (Photo: Joe Cabadas, Canadian Auto Press) |
Williams' rocket on wheels is designed to have the driver lying nearly flat on his back inside the front of the vehicle, with only a periscope to look out. The machine's gas pedal says "faster" while the instructions on the steering bars say "Wide open until you see God, then brake."
"I was a motorcycle dealer for 25 years and I've always been fascinated with top speed," said Williams, who is confined to a wheelchair after breaking his back while cycling. "And a streamliner is the ultimate top speed vehicle and I never thought that I'd be able to do it, but it's always been in the back of my mind.