Cathy Butler Attempting Land Speed Record Aboard Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
Kawasaki has had a great 30th anniversary so far for its Ninja line of models. To date, the highlights have included Jeremy Toye’s triumph at Pikes Peak, Tom Sykes leading the World Superbike Championship and the release of the 2015 Ninja ZX-14R 30th Anniversary Limited Edition.
The celebrations haven’t finished yet, and the next milestone will be an assault on Bonneville Speed Week (August 9-15, 2014) in an attempt to set a new Land Speed Record at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
The 2015 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R has been entered by catalytic converter specialist, ACAT Global, with the aim of proving its motorcycle products in the most challenging conditions. The Ninja has been modified by racing specialists, Erion Racing, and will be ridden by Cathy Butler.
With a degree in Fashion Design, California resident Butler has competed at Bonneville for many years and already holds several records. This year, she is aiming to get her name in the record books again on the ZX-10R.
Erion and ACAT chose the Ninja motorcycle because of its tremendous potential, even in stock trim. As a result, the Kawasaki has been entered into the Production-Production 1000 (P-P 1000) class, for 1000cc motorcycles with a production frame and engine.
“The rules dictate that any part of the motorcycle that can be seen must be stock,” explained Erion Racing President, Kevin Erion. “We can remove the mirrors and turn signals, as well as the rear footpegs, provided they don’t support the muffler. This is why the class is so attractive to a manufacturer, because the motorcycle that breaks the record looks exactly like the machine somebody can buy. We’re allowed to make internal damper and engine modifications, so it’s basically a near-stock bike running on Pirelli World Superbike tires, which are mandated by the rules.”
The current SCTA P-P 1000 record stands at 198.24mph, set in 2012, and the team is confident they can achieve a new speed record after several shakedown runs at the El Mirage dry lakebed in California.
“We chose the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R because we felt it gave us the best competitive advantage to break the current record. Based on the Ninja’s electronics, aerodynamics and stock power output, it’s the perfect package to get the Production Class record,” said Erion.
Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.
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