Record rain forces Speed Week Australia cancellation

A “once in a lifetime” rain event rather than the dreaded COVID-19 virus has prompted cancellation of the 2022 Speed Week by Dry Lakes Racers Australia (DLRA) which was scheduled for February 28-March 4 about 440km northwest of Adelaide.

Kiwi electric three-wheel (streamliner) motorcycle racer Eva Hakansson and husband Bill Dubé were planning to attempt a new speed record there but have now shifted their sights to the Bonneville Speed Week at the famous Utah salt flats in the US from August 27 to September 1.

Their new “Green Envy” 735.5kW (1000 horsepower) motorcycle has been ready for two years, but still hasn’t had a chance to stretch its wheels and had been shipped to Australia for the SA event with Hakansson and Dubé about to follow from Auckland.

“Due to record rainfall over the lake (Lake Gairdner in South Australia) and the surrounding area we are left with no choice,” says DLRA president Greg Wapling who understands it could be many months before washed-out roads are repaired and the lake cleared of about 500mm of “very dirty water”.

“Over three days Mt Ive (Station) received 181mm of rain – more than 60% of its annual average – with many of the surrounding homesteads receiving similar rainfall,” Wapling explains.

“This has been an exceptional event and you have to go back to 1974 for the highest recorded totals.”

Wapling says the DLRA camp at Lake Gairdner appears to have escaped damage.

This year’s entrants who have lodged entry forms and fees can roll over their entry to next year or apply for a refund, with further announcements expected.

Photos of the flooding can viewed here.