Triumph Motorcycles is once again chasing speed – this time 400 mph. How fast is 400mph? How about more than half the speed of sound. Or 12 times faster than Usain Bolt. Or six times faster than a sprinting cheetah.
Triumph, in cooperating with Castrol, Hot Rod Conspiracy and Carpenter Racing, will seek this speed at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah September 12-16 during Mike Cook’s Bonneville Shootout.
The weapon of choice? The Triumph Castrol Record, which was designed by Matt Markstaller (Hot Rod Conspiracy) and Bob Carpenter (Carpenter Racing). With AMA Pro Road Racing star Jason DiSalvo at the controls of the 1000-horsepower, twin turbocharged Rocket III engine streamliner, Triumph will look to break the FIM World Land Speed Record in its class.
The current record is 376.363 mph held by fellow Mike Cook’s Bonneville Shootout entry Ack Attack and piloted by Rocky Robinson (2010, Suzuki Hayabusa turbocharged engines).
“There are teams that have been out here attempting to break records for years. It’s very hard because there are so many variables to contend against, but we have an amazing team,” said Matt Markstaller. “We have confidence in the progress we’ve made in this project’s development since we were on the Salt a year ago.”
“While our streamliner produces enough power from the two Rocket III engines to generate record setting speeds, our endeavor also becomes a battle with the elements,” said Bob Carpenter. “The Salt Flats are an ever-changing environment that can be quite forgiving or absolutely inhospitable, you never know what to expect.”
As for DiSalvo, he has the experience needed to run the powerful streamliner.
“Piloting the Triumph Castrol Rocket is a unique and thrilling challenge, but what really stands out is the unbelievable amount of power the machine produces,” said DiSalvo, “It simply defies explanation and belief. I find myself tapping into all the honed skill I have developed in my racing career and learning new ones as we continue to eclipse new speed levels.”
Triumph Motorcycles has set many Bonneville Salt records in the past, hence the Bonneville model name.
Triumph held the title of “World’s Fastest Motorcycle” from 1955 to 1970 with the exception of 33 days. Its rich heritage in land speed racing features four record-setting streamliners: Devil’s Arrow (1955 at 193.72 mph), Texas Cee-gar (1956 at 214.17 mph), Dudek Johnson (1962 at 224.57 mph), and Gyronaut X-1 (1966 at 245.66 mph)
“It is all about the journey,” said Matt Sheahan, Chief Operating Officer for Triumph Motorcycles America. “To be back at Bonneville with Castrol and the rest of our team is like returning home. So much of Triumph’s legacy was established right here in Utah by passionate, driven and courageous motorcyclists and engineers that all believe in constantly pushing the envelope. Today we are able to continue that legacy, and it is something we are immensely proud to be a part of, not just for Triumph, but for the entire motorcycling industry.”
Entering Mike Cook’s Bonneville Shootout is by invitation only to an exclusive and list of participants. Land speed attempts on the Bonneville Salt Flats will occur along a 10 to 11-mile course subject to cancellation or delay based upon the weather conditions including rain and wind, Triumph reports.
Triumph Castrol Rocket Specs:
- Chassis: Carbon Kevlar monocoque
- Dimensions: 25’ x 2’ x 3’
- Engines: Two Triumph Rocket III engines with two liquid-cooled turbochargers
- Horsepower: 1,000-plus horsepower at 9,000 rpm
- Torque: 500-plus lbs. combined
- Suspension: Alloy aluminum swingarms custom made
- Shocks: Ohlins TTX36 adjustable
- Fuel: Methanol
- Tires: Goodyear Land Speed Special
- Engine Lubricant: Castrol Power RS™ 4T 10W-40 full synthetic oil
For additional information, visit castrolrocket.com.