Motorbike Racing Legend Turns to Porsche in Retirement
Daily Slideshow: Who says a retired racer can't keep the thrill alive after he hangs up his leathers?
New Addiction
Mel Nolan is a man who's well-known among the motorcycle racing set. Or at least he's well-known by his nickname, "The Flying Corkman." Back in the 1980s, Nolan was one of the fastest men on earth, albeit on two wheels. But after giving up that life of dangerous speed, he found an entirely new addiction in Porsche.
Crazy Speed
An industrial chemist by trade, Nolan built his own motorcycle and proceeded to reach an incredible 207 miles per hour while sitting in the saddle. He set two world records along the way, and even held onto the Irish Land Speed Record for nearly 40 years.
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Two Wheels to Four
Motorcycles ruled Nolan's world for most of his life. But today, the 73-year-old has moved onto something entirely different. “For the past seven years I’ve been a total Porsche fanatic but before it wasn’t like that,” Nolan admits. “Before that, I was a biker – and not an ordinary biker but one who loved to race, build new engines, do new things and develop new engineering and new products.”
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Wavering Interests
After accomplishing everything he possibly could in the world of motorcycle racing, Nolan moved into an organizational role. He then developed a passion for drag racing, and even organized the very first drag race in the country of Ireland. He then briefly rejuvenated his racing career before finally hanging up his leathers in the '90s.
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Rediscovered Passion
Seven years ago, The Flying Corkman discovered a new passion. But from the way he explains it, the lust for Porsche had always been within him. “I’d wanted a Porsche from a young age and when I bought a Boxster S a few years ago I just felt totally at home. It was like sitting on my sofa, but a sofa with astounding handling,” he laughs. “On the twisty roads of Ireland, I could keep up with anything, even cars with a lot more horsepower.”
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Growing Collection
Like any true Porsche enthusiast, Nolan couldn't stop with just one. Soon, he added a 996 Turbo X50, 3.2 turbo-bodied Carrera, and 997 Turbo to his garage. All four sit in his garage side-by-side, giving him a fine selection of rides to choose from.
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Proud Member
Nolan's passion also led him to join the Porsche Club of Ireland, where he serves as an organizer of the Southern region. “Some clubs have five or six events a year; by the end of 2018, we’ll have held 58," he said. "The camaraderie is fantastic: there’s always something to do and somewhere to go in your Porsche. We’re a very proud club."
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Different, but Same
Nolan's passions have obviously wavered over the years, as many often do. But jumping into the Porsche world, he sees a some parallels between them. “Motorcycles are a part of me – I’m still heavily involved in drag racing – but there’s a lot of love in my heart for my Porsches. It wasn’t until I’d driven one that I realized a car could feel like being back on a motorcycle. They’re raw, they’re fantastic, they’re happy machines.”
>>Join the conversation about Mel Nolan's love of Porsche right here in Rennlist.com!
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