Motorsport: Lee Munro follows in tyre tracks of legendary speed pioneer

Lee Munro on his specially designed "Spirit of Munro" Indian. Pic/YouTube

The Munro name still lives on the California salt flats.

Almost half a century after Kiwi speed pioneer Burt Munro set a land speed record for under-1000cc on his modified Indian motorbike, grand-nephew Lee Munro is following his ancestor's tyre tracks.

Indian Motorcycle Company will mark the anniversary of that original feat with a special celebration at next month's "Speed Week" at Bonneville.

But as he prepares to honour his ancestor, Lee Munro is already making a reputation for himself, clockinged 300.723km/h to claim a new record for the 1350cc Modified Partial Streamliner - Gas class of bikes.

His mark was achieved during tests to prove he could handle high speeds on his specially-engineered "Spirit of Munro" Indian Scout.

"Everybody's been coming up to me and they associate me with Burt and what he accomplished on his Indian," Lee told OneNews. "It's quite a special feeling.

"I've been told, 'get used to being recognized, boy, because it's about to happen'. I'm verym very proud to be able to carry the name."

Burt Munro was played by Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins in the movie "World's Fastest Indian".