14 DAY TRIAL // A man dubbed the fastest motorcycle racer in the world after achieving record breaking speeds on two wheels has died this weekend.
Bill Warner was killed as he was trying to break another world record on a former air base in northern Maine.
He veered off the runway and crashed at Loring Air Force Base in the Aroostook County town of Limestone, the Portland Press Herald wrote.
"Mr. Warner, a well known speed racer, appeared to be attempting to hit 300 mph (482 kph) within a one mile (1.6 km) distance on the runway when something happened and the motorcycle came to rest on the east side of the runway," Limestone Police Chief Stacey J. Mahan informs.
Officials are looking into the cause of the crash. The Loring Timing Association describes the runway as 300 feet (90 meters) wide and 14,200 feet (4,300) long.
"Land speed records are a dream of many, an obsession of some, and reality for a determined few. It is a quiet pursuit made by quiet men in garages on late nights and endless weekends," they detail.
Warner was competing in "The Maine Event" when he lost control of the bike. Before the collision, he has reached speeds of 285 mph (458 kph).
"Bill was the first person to ever go over 300 mph (482 kph) on a sit-up bike," Race Director Tim Kelly of Brunswick explains.
East Coast Timing Association reps have expressed their condolences over the talented racer's demise at 44 years old.
"The news (of his death) spread very quickly around the world. Literally, everyone's eyes were on Bill this weekend.
"Bill was a pioneer of land speed racing. To be able to go that much faster is remarkable," president Joe Timney says in a statement.