Triumph Motorcycles has confirmed that it will return to the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats in August 2016, to attempt to break the motorcycle world land speed record. Triumph’s aim is to exceed the current record that stands at 376.363 mph, using its purpose-built 1,000-hp Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner.
Riding the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner over the measured mile will be Isle of Man TT racer and multiple speed record holder Guy Martin. Title partner for Triumph’s 2016 record attempt will be global cloud applications provider Infor, with further support from clothing brand Belstaff.
The Triumph Infor Rocket features a carbon fiber/Kevlar monocoque construction and two turbocharged Triumph Rocket III engines producing a combined 1,000 horsepower at 9,000 rpm. A project co-developed by Triumph, Hot Rod Conspiracy and Carpenter Racing, the motorcycle is 25.5 feet long, 2 feet wide and 3 feet tall. Powered by methanol fuel, the bike is competing in the Division C (streamlined motorcycle) category.
Triumph has been preparing for a record attempt with the Rocket Streamliner since 2013, but a technical problem in 2014 forced the team to withdraw, then last year rider Guy Martin was injured in a Superbike race in Northern Ireland and couldn’t compete.
Triumph has a history of breaking the land speed record, holding the title of World’s Fastest Motorcycle from 1955 to 1970. The record-breaking Triumph Streamliners included: Devil’s Arrow, Texas Cee-gar, Dudek Streamliner and Gyronaut X1, the former achieving a top speed of 245.667 mph. Today’s record, held since 2010 by Rocky Robinson riding the Top Oil-Ack Attack streamliner, sits at 376.363 mph.
Guy Martin commented: “I can’t wait to take the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner onto the salt at Bonneville for the first time this summer. The Triumph engineers have built an amazing machine, giving us the very best chance to beat the two-wheeled land speed record.”
The iconic Bonneville name was conceived following Johnny Allen’s land-speed record runs at the Salt Flats in September 1956, when he reached the record-breaking speed of 193.72 mph. The first T120 Bonneville model was unveiled at the Earls Court Bike Show and went on sale in 1959.
To follow the progress of the world land speed record attempt, please visit triumphmotorcycles.com.
