Check out this awesome bike, built just for Al Unser, Sr. In 1970 and ’71 Al had back-to-back wins in the Indy 500, a feat that has never been repeated. This bike is built in honor of that first win in the Johnny Lightning car. Terri “T” Collier, Editor of Thunder Roads Oklahoma/Arkansas, got a chance to photograph the bike and get the story.

If this sweet ride doesn’t warm you up in the midst of this cold winter, I’m not sure what will! This motorcycle was built for Al Unser, Sr. to honor his first of four Indy 500 wins beginning in 1970 in the Johnny Lightning car. Al had “back to back” wins in 1970 and 1971, a feat that has not been repeated by any other driver since. I had the opportunity to interview Al Unser, Sr. in April of 2009. At that time, he was the Special Guest of the Thunder Run V in Oklahoma City. In visiting with him, he let me know that he and Sam Wills, builder and owner of Racing Innovations, had just begun discussing a build of this bike. It has been built to be sold at the Barrett-Jackson Auction with proceeds going to Al’s charity of choice, Unser Children’s Discovery Center, of which he donates $16,000 in scholarships per year. As I mentioned above, the bike is built commemorating the Johnny Lightning car in which Al won his first Indy 500. My favorite part of that story was that it was the first race the car was entered into! At first, Al was very skeptical about the sponsor, Johnny Lightning Toy Company, when he was first approached. His car owner assured him that although the car was being sponsored by a toy company, he would not become the laughing stock of the racing industry. After that win in Indy, the toy company and the Parnelli Jones Race team were laughing all the way to the bank. As a matter of fact, Al was told by the owner of the toy company that, if Al won the Indy 500, he’d pay him a million dollars. Remember, this was also in 1970, so it was worth even more back then. However, once the race was won, Al found that he didn’t personally get the million dollars, but the money was given to the race team for use on the car. Once the bike build was agreed upon, Sam Wills made a trip to the Unser Racing Museum in Albuquerque, NM to photograph, study and review the Johnny Lightning car display. He also got an opportunity to dig around in a few of Al’s old parts and come up with a few things he could actually use on the bike. For instance, check out those accordion flanges on the exhaust and those big ol’ 1963 Halibrand Magnesium Wheels. The builders, Sam, Shawn and Delvin built this bike, working diligently to closely duplicate the details of the original race car. Look over the photos and specifications carefully. You will find many details that resemble an Indy Race Car. This was an amazing build. If all goes as planned with acceptance to the auction, you can see this bike displayed alongside the actual Johnny Lightning car at the Unser Racing Museum until it is sent to the Barrett-Jackson Auction. From there, one very fortunate bidder will take it home. Please see www.unserracingmuseum.com for a full museum schedule. Johnny Lightning Special Motorcycle Specifications Bike Owners: Al Unser, Sr and Susan Unser Racing Innovations Al Unser Special Pro Street Built By: Racing Innovations, OKC, OK - Sam Wills, Shawn Norris and Delvin Clark Paint By: Manny Powder Coat by: Performance Coatings Chrome By: Diversified Solo Seat By: David Lee Frame: Racing Innovations 38o Rake, 5” Forward, 0 up. Front End: Racing Innovations Special – 4130 Aircraft Streamlined with Spring Shocks Wheels: 1963 Halibrand – Magnesium Knockoff’s 18 X 8” Tires: Metzlers 240 X 18/ Hubs by: Racing Innovations Fender Fabrication/All Sheet Metal Work By: Shawn Norris Tank: 3.4 Gallon, Aircraft Filler 3” Hand Controls By: ISR Foot Controls By: Racing Innovations Ex Custom 2” Step Pipes with Ford Cosworth Parts Motor 113 Hot Rod By: Robbie McKay – 625 1.FT Cam, 11.1 Comp Ratio Includes:

• Special Cut Cylinder and Heads, Diamond Cut Fins
• S&S G Carb with Thunder Jet
• Crane Hi4 Ignition
• Tranny 6 Speed Ultima
• Belt Drive 2” Ultima

Starter By: GPE Starters of Edmond Sprotor By: DNA Special Thanks to Sam Wills, Racing Innovations; Al Unser, Sr. and Susan Unser for sharing this fine piece of machinery representing a rich history with us.