Endurance ace eyes world record

When they were handing out spots at the loony bin, American long-distance rider and driver Carl Reese somehow missed out…

The 47-year-old from Pennsylvania holds an assortment of records for endurance riding and driving that you think would allow him to retire from such pursuits a content man, but no – in fact his next record attempt may be his toughest yet.

In nine days' time, on Saturday, February 25, Reese will roll out on a 13.7 kilometre long banked oval test circuit and attempt to ride his BMW K 1600 GT some 2023 miles (3545km) in under 24 hours.

Should he do so he'll seize the Guinness World Record for 'greatest distance on a motorcycle in 24 hours', a record currently held by South Africa's Matthew 'Bushy' McKelvey.

While Guinness World Records has closed many automotive distance categories because of the inherent risks involved, the organisation says it will ratify this one because it's being conducted in the closed confines of a test track – Continental Tyres' test track, to be precise, in Texas.

Reese, who does home repairs and building by day, is no stranger to these records. Other madcap drives and rides to his name include:

It's all in the name of charity, with Reese using these events to raise funds for and the profile of the Motorcycle Relief Project, which helps American Veterans coping with the ravaging effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by taking them of adventure motorcycle tours.

While riding a motorcycle around the banked circuit may seem easy, the boredom and lack of stimulation that would otherwise be provided on public roads cannot be underestimated. Reese says he'll need to maintain an average speed of at least 85mph (137km/h).

We guess he'll either succeed – or fall asleep trying! Check back after February 25th and we'll let you know how he went.