Why "gimmick"? Obviously you can't compare paced and non paced speeds, but there's nothing wrong with motor pacing. Lots of pros pace behind a scooter to train for high speed racing.
Drafting in a record attempt is a test of the ability to draft; It doesn't have much to do with designing a vehicle, only with designing half of a vehicle.
Err... most bicycles are not meant to reach anything at all like those speeds, so it's very much about designing a bicycle that's fit for the job.