Guy Martin to Pilot Triumph Rocket Streamliner for Bonneville Record Attempt
Coming off a podium at the 2015 Isle of Man TT and the Superbike win at the Southern 100, Guy Martin is ready for another motorcycling mission – a land-speed record attempt at the iconic Bonneville Salt Flats.
And what better way than a Brit on a British-made motorcycle? Martin, who raced in America last year during the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, is slated to compete at Bonneville Speedway aboard the Triumph Rocket Streamliner, which is powered by two 2.3-liter Rocket III engines and produces 1000 horsepower.
During this year’s FIM Bonneville Speed Trials that occur August 24-27, Martin will attempt to bring back the land speed record to Triumph after an absence of 45 years.
Triumph held the title as the “World’s Fastest Motorcycle” from 1955-1970 except for a 33-day period. The record-breaking Triumph streamliners of that period were Devil’s Arrow, Texas Cee-gar, Dudek Streamliner and Gyronaut X1, the former achieving a top speed of 245.667 mph (395.28 km/h). Today’s bar, held by Rocky Robinson since 2010 riding the Top Oil-Ack Attack streamliner, sits at 376.363 mph (605.697 km/h).
Triumph says the 2015 Triumph Rocket Streamliner features a carbon Kevlar monocoque construction with two turbocharged Triumph Rocket III engines producing a combined 1,000 bhp at 9,000 rpm. The motorcycle is 25.5-foot long, 2-foot wide and 3-foot tall. Powered by methanol fuel, the bike is competing in the Division C (streamlined motorcycle) category.
Triumph says iconic Bonneville name was conceived following Johnny Allen’s land-speed record runs at the Salt Flats in September 1955, 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.
With final testing scheduled at the Bonneville Salt Flats in mid-July, the record attempt will take place 24-27 August, 2015.
Follow the progress at Triumph Land Speed and Guy Martin Racing.
