Guy Martin & Rocket Streamliner – Fastest Triumph at Bonneville
Last year was not a great one for Guy Martin or Bonneville Salt Flats competitors. Martin, who was scheduled to attempt a world record with Triumph, was injured at the Ulster Grand Prix, and forced out of competition.
But it got worse; due to weather, the entire 2015 Bonneville Speed Trials was canceled, and land-speed record chasers would have to wait another year.
Martin’s wait was worth it; he returns in 2016 to attempt a record aboard the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner, which creates 1000 base horsepower at 9000 rpm from its two Triumph Rocket III engines. And already he has gained some momentum; during land-speed practice week, which wrapped up this week, Martin posted the official fastest Triumph time ever.
After a few days of running in near perfect conditions, the Isle of Man TT icon rewrote Triumph history, posting a 274.2 mph in Division C (streamlined motorcycle) category. Piloting the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner to the two-mile, he broke Triumph’s 46-year old record of 245.667 posted by Bob Leppan aboard the Gyronaut X-1 (there was also an unofficial record by Leppan of 264mph).
Triumph reports that the record run is further proof of Martin’s growing confidence on the salt and commitment to breaking the World two-wheeled Land Speed record. Each time Martin has sat in the streamliner on the salt he has been able to achieve the goals set by Crew Chief and the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner designer Matt Markstaller and his team with the required level of control, Triumph says.
“It’s good and we are moving in the right direction, but it is just one step on the way to what me and team are here to do,” Martin says. They return in late August to attempt breaking the land-speed record, which sits 376.363mph (2010, Rock Robinson, Top Oil-Ack Attack streamliner).
About the Triumph Infor Rocket and Bonneville Speed Trials History (courtesy of Triumph):
The Triumph Infor Rocket 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 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 a history of breaking the land speed record, holding the title of ‘World’s Fastest Motorcycle’ between 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 (395.28 km/h).
