I never got to meet Bill in person. I did talk to him a few times on the phone back when he wanted to re-flash his previous bike to raise the limiter higher. I always liked the fact that he never just took someone else advice and always tried to figure things out a different way than "normal".
Being the only crazy turbo motorcycle guy that they know, today at work, my coworkers asked me if I knew the guy who wrecked, because they saw it on Yahoo, or CNN, or Fox, etc.
Each time I told them yes.
I felt like I did.
Each time also ended up being a 15 minute conversation about Bill and what he had achieved, how difficult it was to do what he made seem so easy, and how dedicated he was.
I'd bet most everyone Bill met felt like they knew him forever.
I've never even been to a Land Speed Racing event. In fact, I'm not even sure I have ever even met many folks who have, face to face. I feel like I know quite a few racers though.
Tat said, if you think I didn't get chills and have my eyes tear up the first time I heard "Ladies and Gentleman, We've just had the first motorcycle in history go over 300 miles per hour", you'd be wrong. In fact, I just watched it again. Got chills and a tear again too, and I knew exactly what I was going to hear this time.
When a guy you've never met brings a tear to your eyes (more than once), you just gotta say to yourself, "Man, that was one helluva guy."
None of us are going to do what you did Bill, but keep an eye on us when we go out and try.
We'll be sure to be smiling and saying Woohoo in our helmets every time we have a good run and better our own personal goals.
John
