what I posted elsewhere:
BILL WARNER WAS A MAN IN FULL.
Only 44 years old, Bill Warner accomplished more in land speed racing
than most racers accomplish in a career – probably ten careers.
Most knowledgeable racers expect that Bill’s 311 MPH terminal speed
record in the 1.5 mile race will not be broken in their lifetimes,
and that Bill’s mile record of 296 MPH – set only hours
before his death – will be the same.
Warner, a marine biologist and college graduate
was a gentle tropical fish farmer
in the Tampa Florida area.
Bill came late to land speed racing,
beginning a racing career of rocket-ship-like
performance less than 10 years ago.
Always trying to reach the next level of speed,
Bill was never satisfied with “good enough.”
Bill quickly proved his championship strengths
by taking the Texas Mile motorcycle
track record with an un-streamlined bike in 2010.
It was at that point that we all realized that
everybody else was playing catch-up ball,
and that we were in the final 2 minutes of the game.
The next year, Bill slammed down his earth- shaking,
and world-beating 311 MPH run at Loring.
In one single run, Bill became the first to break
270 mph, 280 mph, 290 mph, 300 mph and 310 mph.
In a time when the ultimate record was being increased by
Measures of 5 or 10 mph – or even 2 mph – Bill in one run
advanced the mark 50 mph.
And he wasn’t even done.
Bill brought to the sport, and to his pursuit of that sport,
a drive and intensity rarely seen in it’s combination of intellect,
scientific thinking, willingness to work 24/7 and to place
all his worldly assets in the service of his racing goals.
While doing this, Bill maintained an even temper,
rarely if ever raising his voice in anger.
He blessed his friends with his ready humor,
and he humored those that thought
they were his competition.
In fact, Bill had no competition.
And he never will.
