Guy Martin Joins Triumph in Attempt to Reclaim Land Speed Record

Evans Brasfield
by Evans Brasfield

In recent years, Triumph has made it no secret that the company would like to reclaim the title of World’s Fastest Motorcycle. Today, the marque has confirmed none other than Isle of Man TT legend, Guy Martin, to pilot the Triumph Rocket Streamliner on the famed Bonneville Salt Flats this August 24–27, during the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) event.

With the current record standing at 376.363 mph, the 2015 Triumph Rocket Streamliner has its work cut out for it in the Division C (streamlined motorcycle) category – without even considering the other teams expected to participate in the event. The streamliner is a slippery 25.5 feet long, 2 feet wide and 3 feet tall. Constructed with a carbon Kevlar monocoque, the Rocket is powered by two turbocharged, methanol fueled, Triumph Rocket III engines which produce a combined 1,000 bhp at 9,000 rpm.

Although Triumph has not held the record for 45 years, the company’s history is firmly connected to the Bonnevile Salt Flats. The Bonneville name on its classic T120 twin was a celebration of Truimph’s claim to the title World’s Fastest Motorcycle after Johnny Allen’s record runs of 193.72 mph at the Salt Flats in September 1955. Triumph then held the title until 1970 (excepting 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.

The Triumph land speed team will conduct final testing later this month in preparation for the Sugust 24–27, 2015 attempt. To follow the world land speed record attempt, visit www.TriumphLandSpeed.com or www.GuyMartinRacing.co.uk.

Evans Brasfield
Evans Brasfield

Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.

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