Burt was a New Zealand motorcycle racer who became famous for setting an under-1000cc world record, at Bonneville, USA on 26th August 1967. The Southland born and bred enthusiast worked for 20 years to highly modify the 1920 Indian motorcycle which he had bought in 1920. He set his first New Zealand speed record in 1938 and later set seven more and was 68 years old and riding a 47-year old machine when he set his last record. He travelled to compete at the Bonneville Salt Flats ten times, attempting to set world speed records and achieved three speed records in that time. His life and avid interest in speed was the basis of the 2005 movie The World's Fastest Indian, starring Anthony Hopkins and directed by New Zealander Roger Donaldson.