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Book Cover for: Speed King: Burt Munro, the World's Fastest Indian, David Hill

Speed King: Burt Munro, the World's Fastest Indian

David Hill

In 1967 an unknown, elderly New Zealander and his ancient Indian motorcycle set a world land-speed record at Bonneville. The man was Burt Munro, and he became a Kiwi legend. How did he do it? His amazing true story is now a stunning picture book.

A crowd of people stand on a flat white plain. In the distance, a snarling, roaring dark speck is hurtling towards them. It's a motorbike. The rider is inside the shell, lying almost flat. 'Go, Burt!'
The red bike blurs past.
Fingers click stop-watches.
How fast has Burt Munro gone this time?

The moment young Burt Munro saw a motorbike chugging down a quiet Invercargill street, he was hooked. More than 50 years later, he and his ancient Indian motorcycle would amaze the world by setting a land-speed record--one that remains unbroken to this day. Burt didn't have much money. He wasn't young. But he was determined. And he became a Kiwi legend. A wonderful true story about a very unlikely New Zealand champion, by the award-winning author and illustrator of First to the Top.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Penguin Random House New Zealand Limited
  • Publish Date: Aug 1st, 2016
  • Pages: 32
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 9.90in - 9.50in - 0.40in - 0.83lb
  • EAN: 9780143507222
  • Categories: Sports & Recreation - Motor SportsAdventure & Adventurers

About the Author

David Hill is a reviewer, fiction writer, playwright, and children's writer. He spent fourteen years teaching before writing full-time. His first young adult novel won the 1994 Times Educational Supplement Award for Special Needs. He won the 2002 Children's Literature Foundation Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-Loved Book, the 2003 LIANZA Esther Glen Medal, the 2013 NZ Post Junior Fiction Award, and the 2013 LIANZA Librarian's Choice Award.