Land Speed Racing Sam Wheeler Photo Gallery

The mighty EZ Hook streamliner.

Sam takes off en route to a 355 mph run in 2006. He was unofficially the fastest man on two wheels (he failed to make a return run voiding an FIM record) until the Ack Attack set a new land speed record over 360 mph in September of 2006.

John Noonan and Sam Wheeler pose beside the Ack Attack streamliner at Lake Gairdner, Australia.

Sam and friends with first streamliner loaded in back of old van.

Lightweight and aerodynamic. Key ingredients Sam learned at an early age.

Go Speed Racer!

Humble beginnings: Notice the surplus nose cone Sam purchased for a dollar…

The Norton’s riding position was so low the machine was later banned from competition.

The man and his creation. (Nice tie, Sam)

The Norton at El Mirage with bodywork removed

Sam set a record with the Norton streamliner in 1970: 208.747 mph on gas.

A close-up of the EZ Hook streamliner minus bodywork. (The large training wheels were for testing purposes only.)

Based out of southern CA, the El Mirage Dry Lakes was a favorite testing grounds for Sam.

Sam checks out the Ack Attack before making his only attempt in a foreign machine on foreign land. (Australia)

Heinz Herz poses with Delphin III replica, originally driven by his father, Wilhelm Herz. This machine was the first to break the 200 mph barrier on two wheels with a top speed of 211 mph in 1956. The early success of the NSU team inspired Sam to get involved in land speed racing.