Burt Munro
Herbert James "Burt" Munro (Bert in his youth; 25 March 1899 – 6 January 1978) was a motorcycle racer from New Zealand, famous for setting an under-1,000 cc world record, at Bonneville, on the 26th of August 1967. This record still stands; Munro was 68 and was riding a 47-year-old machine when he set his last record.
Burt Munro | |
|---|---|
| Born | Herbert James Munro 25 March 1899 Invercargill, New Zealand |
| Died | 6 January 1978 (aged 78) Invercargill, New Zealand |
| Resting place | Eastern Cemetery, Invercargill, New Zealand |
| Occupation(s) | Carpenter New Zealand Home Guard Speedway rider Motorcycle salesman Mechanic |
| Known for | Land Speed record holder |
| Spouse(s) | Florence Beryl Martyn (m. 1927; div. 1947) |
| Children | 4 |
Working from his home in Invercargill, he spent 20 years highly modifying his 1920 Indian motorcycle that he had bought that same year. Munro set his first New Zealand speed record in 1938 and later set seven more. He travelled to compete at the Bonneville Salt Flats, attempting to set world speed records. During his ten visits to the salt flats, he set three speed records, one of which still stands.
His efforts, and success, are the basis of the film The World's Fastest Indian (2005), starring Anthony Hopkins, and an earlier 1971 short documentary film Burt Munro: Offerings to the God of Speed, both directed by Roger Donaldson.