ROCKET MAN Pete Williams has high hopes for his low-level flier.

Culcheth speed demon Pete has relentlessly pursued his passion to become Britain's fastest on two wheels.

Thirty years ago Pete, 55, from Churchill Avenue, was third quickest in Europe on his home-built, straightline, twin-engined 1,300cc Triumph sprinter.

Way back in 1968 he posted times of 10.2 seconds and a terminal speed of 141 mph at the end of a standing quarter-mile on his special. He named the machine "Two Faced" because of its temperamental tendencies.

Last year he dusted off the cobwebs and dragged out the old bike which he had not ridden for 18 years. He wasn't expecting miracles - just hoping to attract attention to his quest to become the fastest motorcyclist in the UK.

And finishing 10th out of 226 entries, running on a 28 year-old back tyre and a 13 year-old front, didn't harm his reputation.

He is chasing a dream that has soaked up £30,000 of his own money and even led to him twice selling his home to fund his craving for the British two-wheeler speed record.

"There are always the knockers who say I won't reach my goals or that I'm over-the-hill or a has-been," said Pete.

"At least I've been to the top of the hill. Most of the knockers are armchair experts, doing 'nowt' themselves.

"The only thing that has held me back is lack of sponsors."

Now Pete has moved on from Meriden Triumph power and has constructed a new, triple-engined, 3,300cc, Kawasaki 12 cylinder race bike aimed at attacking the UK speed record of 209 mph.

Then there is a jet-powered machine waiting in the wings.

"It is built but awaiting the fitting of a Rolls Royce Viper jet engine which I have," said Pete, who aims to take this to a world speed record of over 322 mph.

"There is no prize money in our sport. It's a great challenge, a personal goal. We're only here once and I want to leave my mark."

The bodyshell of his 21-foot, half-ton, streamliner has undergone wind tunnel tests and helped students to BSc degrees at Salford University.

Pete sums-up the logic behind his work with University boffin Professor J L Livesey..."A jumbo jet takes off around 180 mph. I have to make sure my machine stays firmly on the ground."

But lack of funds have prevented him from hurrying his work.

The machines he designs and builds himself, but often he has to travel hundreds of miles to get to the nearest sprint course or drag strip to test his handiwork.

He added: "Young lads with field bikes have the same problems. They have no proper facilities and the result is complaints and harassments. Everybody is brainwashed into kicking a pig's bladder between two stumps.

"Cantona's wages for a week would probably see my projects completed!"

Currently looking for a small, cheap workshop, from where he can run his projects, electrician Pete is a man of many talents.

Working in the old days from a shed at the back of his home he has turned a magic welding torch on many a mangled and twisted frame or knocked up aluminium tanks for top racers.

The last time I was at Pete's old place, near Padgate's hump-back railway bridge, he had another home-built Triumph sprint bike in the hallway. Two Faced plus One, perhaps, which boasted three Triumph twins and a gearbox from a Rover car.

Even his race transporter is unusual, a Rover V8 engined Transit.

Bit of a one-off, Pete Williams, just like his specials. His dedication and enthusiasm for his sport certainly deserves that elusive "fastest" title.

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