Speed Demon

When Don Runkle went to a charity auction for the Women's Committee for Hospice Care, an old motorcycle buddy (GM's Bob Lutz) alerted him to a prized motorcycle on the auction block.

The Suzuki Hayabusa (pronounced HIGH-a-BOO-sa) is reputed to be the world's fastest land vehicle. “You know, Don,” Lutz started, “a real man would buy this bike.”

Runkle, Delphi Corp. vice chairman, stuck with the bidding and now owns a bike that dashes from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 2.8 seconds.

He paid $15,000 for the Hayabusa (plus extra goodies), which he figures is $4,000 above sticker.

Runkle doesn't mind, as his wife Jinny is active with the charity. He does mind, however, the price to insure his Hayabusa: $2,000 a year.