Danny Keaney held the Irish land speed
record at 168.35mph (271kmh) famously beating the holder Vivian Candy in a
Shadow Formula One Grand Prix car at Carrigrohane, Co Cork,
Mel of course was there, with his great friend, Denis Collins. Amidst the conversation Mel suggested that he’d do this..
and according to Denis, once Mel decided to take on a challenge, there is no
turning back. The next 12 months were spent in the workshop and with help from
his friends Mick and Mort Manifold, Mick Bowyer and Dave Fouhy, Murphy
Engineering. Mel upgraded his bike from a 750 to a 1000 and fitted the 1st
turbo to a motorcycle in Ireland. He challenged Danny Keany on a works 750
Yamaha. The challenge was accepted and the date was set for the Carrigrohane
Straight in July of 1980.
At 4:30am 13,000 people came to watch the battle
on the Straight Road in an attempt to set a new Land Speed Record. However on
this occasion, Mel’s Turbo failed (wastegate problem) and it was back to
spanners at least for another while. The Carrigrohane Straight wasn’t the hub
of racing activity, so Mel went off to the Brighton sprint with Denis as the
first Irish team to participate. The Brighton Sprint was a fantastic success
and two weeks later off to Elvington RAF base in Yorkshire where he was to
break the world flying mile record in October of 1980.
Sponsorship was to be a huge part of racing
and with the help of Noel Murphy of National Aluminium, Mel renamed his machine
the “National Aluminium Turbo”
Anyway… Back home. Mel re challenged Danny Keaney to a showdown in Mid July
1981. This was Mel’s Year where some short time after 4:30 AM (Again) he was to
take the record from Danny. Not only
that, but the following morning with two runs required East to West and West to
East at a top speed of 192 MPH Mel would set a new Irish land speed and World Kilometre
Record. The Irish Record stands to this day Forty years on.
Off to Elvington again the following October and raise the
flying KM Record to a new level and attempt the British ¼ Mile Land speed
record. Mel needed two consecutive runs at over 196 MPH to take the record.
However on his 2nd last run of the day, he had an average run of of
198 MPH with a top speed of 207 MPH but on the finish line he damaged two pistons and regrettably was not able to do a
return run and claim the record. All the major news channels, BBC, RTE, Pathe
News, National newspapers and Motorcycle magazines carried the record story.
Mel became a National Hero in the middle of a deep recession in Ireland at the
time.
A few things happen to bikes that are so
well built and are ridden by such brave and determined people, eventually there
are no more records to attempt. The bike was wheeled out one last time to
celebrate Cork 800 festivities.
This was the last of the run of the era.
The Cork 800 Sprint, Mel was unable to compete due to surgery and Denis Collins
in true team spirit rode the Turbo and of course…Won.
The bike was dismantled and put in storage.
30 Years on, the Bike was restored to a level greater than its
original condition.
For all the men that are reading this and
want to go out and get their project underway, bear in mind, one needs a very
understanding wife.
Mel’s wife Mary dealt with the 6 “young
fellas” at home, while Mel was… in the Shed… again… dealing with such machines
as his 1360 Yamaha with Nitrous.
We’re not done yet, amidst all this
adventure, lets just include another Irish Record of ¼ mile standing start in a
mere 8.55 Seconds and 172 MPH, these are the times and speeds that are presented
to us today.
Mel Nolan brought Drag racing to Ireland,
and in doing so has presented us with a challenge…. “Beat that”, because, yes…
that ¼ Mile record also STILL STANDS.
Runners up to this record are:
Craig Mallabone UK: 8.63 and another Corkman with his sights on the clock Ciaran O'Driscoll with 8.7
Facts - courtesy of Denis Collins 2011.
Paul O'Sullivan 2021
