Richies Bonneville Dream

BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS  !

When it comes to motorcycle World Land Speed Records one name that stands out from the crowd is Fritz Klingler or better known on the salt as California Fritz.

Fritz Klingler (California Fritz ) started racing as soon as he was old enough to walk, From sliding down grassy hill sides on a hood off an old 49 Chevy to beat his friends on their cardboard sleds, Go carts, Dirt Bikes, and Drag racing Old Pan Heads on the streets, he found his way to Bonneville Salt Flats back in the late 80’s when he was flying his twin engine airplane home from Salt Lake City a friend told him that there were races going on there and that it would be OK to land there.

Fritz first went to the salt in 1989 with his first bike going 118 MPH, and keep coming back for more punishment every year going faster and faster. Over the years he built 6 different bikes to ride at Bonneville and accomplished setting over 16 land speed records. Two records still standing today. One of those current records is in his 16 foot Streamliner with a top speed of 228 MPH

Fritz then built a new Partial Stream liner that he raced at the Bub Speed Trails Racing at Bonneville takes a lot of dedication and is very expensive. Thanks to his hard work and financial assistance of the likes of Glendale Harley-Davidson, Willy Johnson @ Design as U go, entertainer Mr. Billy Idol, and many others that made it possible to get out here and race.

Fritz realized that achieving 200mph on an open bike with a naturally aspirated engine that was not running exotic racing fuel was about impossible. He then went back to the workshop and started on a full bodied streamliner. Fritz built everything including frame, engine and fiberglass bodywork. The streamliner project was started in 1998.  This bike put Fritz in the 200mph club and he set a record of 215mph in 2003. In 2006 with an economic downturn and the massive work required to keep the streamliner in top race ready condition Fritz decided to park the bike and focus back on the second bike which still had some unfinished business out on the salt

Fritz attempted a record of 180 MPH in a partial streamline class. And just as he get up to 185 MPH with a new record in site, entering the timing mile the bike go’s into a uncontrollable wobble sending him off to the right side of the track, he crashing thought the timing light and flag, the timing light has a car battery hooked to it that exploded and went right thought the primary cover. After a long recovery from injuries sustained Fritz decided it might be time to retire from riding duties to focus more on bike development and engine preparation.

As racing at Bonneville was always a family affair Fritz’s son Richard Klingler then took the controls of the race bike for a further 5 years setting 2 land speed records over 173 MPH, one the Fritz Klinger prepared bike and another at 169 MPH on Glendale Harley’s Buell.  Fritz’s son tragically passed away in 2017 so Fritz went back to the salt in August 2017 as the rider and run again. This time with son Ritchie’s ashes carried in an urn attached to the race bike. 

For the 2018 Bonneville champagne Fritz has handed to riding duties to Peter Phillipps. Peter currently lives in Vanuatu down in the South West Pacific between Australia and Fiji and will be fly in, in August to attempt 2 records. Peter spent most of his life racing motorcycle at a professional and amateur level in Australia and was a speedway and long track rider. Peter was also a very successful road racer riding both superbikes and road race side cars. He went on the becoming a Harley drag racer riding his own and bikes for other teams.

Peter had a try ride at Bonneville last year “2017” and turned a speed of 156 mph on a very substandard course and on an engine that had made 4 passes and was in need on a freshen up.

This year the racing program for the California Fritz team is to set a new record for the A.M.P.G “ Altered, Modified, Pushrod, Gas” Partial Streamliner Class for 2000cc which is currently 171 mph and the A.M.P.G open body class which is currently 174 mph. They have 2 fresh race engines prepared at their disposal and there is a new wing being prepared to be fitted to the rear of the bike for the partial streamline class. Both these engines are based on the tried and proven Harley Davidson design but for the most they are custom fabricated and hand made in Fritz’s workshop.

With the addition of Peter to the team bringing his bike preparation and riding skills to the team they are in very good shape for Bonneville Speed Week 2018

The team have come this far funding this project out of their own pockets and there are still costs to come with entry fees in two classes, travel and accommodation and the running of the bike when they get to Bonneville. We have set up a go fund me program for anyone that would like to assist. Our aim is to raise at least $3,000 toward the two world land speed record attempts. In return you will have your name on the race bike and you will be able to follow the progress of the team leading up to and during Bonneville Speed week via the Pirates Hot Rod and Motorcycle Club Facebook page.

The salt flats are expected to be much better than last year so the team are expecting big results.

We would appreciate any small donation by adding your name on to the bike as a sponsor.  You can help by sending your donation too California Fritz’s 106 Pioneer Trail Markleeville, Ca. 96120 Or the Gofundme. Thanks Fritz