Known to most as the subject of "The World's Fastest Indian", Herbert James "Burt" Munro celebrates his 63rd birthday by setting a New Zealand motorcycle speed-record for a standing start, open-class, quarter-mile with a time of 12.31 seconds/138 mph aboard his 1936 600cc Velocette MSS.
Burt Munro also set six other New Zealand motorcycle speed-records:
Flying half-mile, Road, Unlimited Class
Munro Special Indian - 99.45mph, Canterbury, January 27, 1940
Flying half-mile, Road, Open Class
Munro Special Indian - 120.8mph, Canterbury, January 27, 1940
Flying half-mile, Road, 750cc Class
Munro Special Indian - 143.6 mph, Canterbury, April 13, 1957
Flying half-mile, Beach, Open Class
Munro Special Indian - 131.38mph, Oreti Beach, February 9, 1957
Flying half-mile, Beach, 750cc Class
Velocette 600cc - 129.078mph, Oreti Beach, December 16, 1961
Flying half-mile, Beach, 750cc Class
Velocette 618cc - 132.35mph, Oreti Beach, May 1, 1971
During his life, Munro's accomplishments were little known outside a select group of motorcycle enthusiasts. With the release of "The World's Fastest Indian" in 2005, Munro suddenly became a cult hero in New Zealand. The movie became the biggest domestically produced film ever produced.
His son, John, said that Munro would have shrugged his shoulders and smiled at the popularity he obtained after his passing.
"I'm sure he would have never believed the popularity the movie gave him," said John Munro. "I think he would have been quietly pleased at being able to share his life with millions of people."
He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2006.
Munro Special Indian - 99.45mph, Canterbury, January 27, 1940
Flying half-mile, Road, Open Class
Munro Special Indian - 120.8mph, Canterbury, January 27, 1940
Flying half-mile, Road, 750cc Class
Munro Special Indian - 143.6 mph, Canterbury, April 13, 1957
Flying half-mile, Beach, Open Class
Munro Special Indian - 131.38mph, Oreti Beach, February 9, 1957
Flying half-mile, Beach, 750cc Class
Velocette 600cc - 129.078mph, Oreti Beach, December 16, 1961
Flying half-mile, Beach, 750cc Class
Velocette 618cc - 132.35mph, Oreti Beach, May 1, 1971
His son, John, said that Munro would have shrugged his shoulders and smiled at the popularity he obtained after his passing.
"I'm sure he would have never believed the popularity the movie gave him," said John Munro. "I think he would have been quietly pleased at being able to share his life with millions of people."
He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2006.
