Page 43 - 100% Biker (January 2020)

Dawn over Team Wildcard.

Set up in the pits.
Phil at the start line on his
Triumph Bonneville T120.
After years of saving and
preparation, they’ve made it!

The all-important timing slip!

Bonneville, British riders, classic
British bikes. It gets no better.

Bringing the record certificates back home.
L-R: Gary ‘Monty’ Montgomery, Miki Sprosen,
Two men looking out at a dream. Phil Betty, Ann Montgomery.

production class, so performance gains are minimal, and a one but by the end of the event, with the overwhelming support of
mile an hour improvement can take months of development. everyone there, it felt like we were always meant to be there.
Both records were recently affirmed with the official certificates The Bonneville organisers, scrutineers and all the volunteers,
which were delivered back to Cornwall on their return. plus all of the other racers and their supporting crews and
Phil says, “All the planning and logistics came together families are phenomenal and we cannot thank everyone
for both of us on Day 3, along with the weather and the salt enough for looking after us so well—especially The Edwards
conditions which enabled us to achieve our goal of taking Racing team. Our thanks also go to our sponsor, Monty’s
these Bonneville records on Triumphs. Riding the bikes out on Classic Motorcycles and his parts supplier, LF Harris.
the salt for the first time was like living a dream—intense but “Our classic Triumph bikes caused quite a stir over there
somehow completely natural, and we both settled into the racing and it was brilliant to connect with the small number of
extremely easily. We had dreamed of coming to Bonneville and other Triumph racers who were also competing. We would
worked so hard to get those records, but none of it was ever absolutely recommend that any interested racers make the
a given. Then, when we both achieved our records in quick journey to Bonneville. There really is nowhere like it and we’d
succession, it was quite possibly the best day of my entire life.” be delighted to pass on any advice or information to any other
Miki adds; “We certainly felt like rookies before we arrived, British racers who are keen to discover this epic experience.” p

You can see more about the team and their future plans (yes, they involve Bonneville and more record attempts!) at www.teamwildcard.co.uk.

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