Guy Martin and Triumph Attempt to Bring the Record Back Home

9 July 2015

Please Note:  This world record attempt has been postponed until 2016. We will confirm a new details as soon as we can.  

 

 

 

 

Triumph Motorcycles confirms new land speed record attempt in August
• TT legend and adrenaline junkie Guy Martin confirmed as pilot for the Triumph world record attempt
• The Triumph Rocket III Streamliner is powered by two 2.3-litre Triumph Rocket III engines, producing 1,000 bhp
• Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) world record attempt to take place at the Bonneville Speedway, Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah - 23-27 August 2015
• Triumph has invited Channel 4 to follow the land speed record attempt for a exclusive film to air in early September

Triumph, the iconic British motorbike brand, has confirmed its intention to break the motorcycle land speed record at the salt flats of Bonneville, USA, in August 2015.

While the current record stands at 376.363 mph, the Triumph team is aiming to surpass that over the measured mile.

Piloting the purpose built, 1,000 bhp Triumph Rocket Streamliner will be Isle of Man TT racer, truck mechanic and Channel 4 daredevil Guy Martin. Well known for his love of speed, Guy is relishing the prospect of bringing the land speed record back to Triumph – and the UK - after an absence of 45 years.

Guy Martin says: “The phone went about a month ago and I was asked ‘how do you fancy trying to become the fastest man on two wheels?’ And I said, ‘yeah, I fancy that quite a bit thank you very much’.”

“Breaking the world land speed record isn't normally the sort of thing you get offered in your tea break is it and I’m well up for it. Bringing the record back to Britain would be mega too. Spot on, let’s get cracking.”

Triumph has a long legacy of smashing the land speed record and held the title of "World's Fastest Motorcycle" from 1955 to 1970 with the exception of a brief 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).

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' long, 2' wide and 3' tall. Powered by methanol fuel, the bike is competing in the Division C (streamlined motorcycle) category.

The 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 22-27 August, 2015.

Triumph has invited Channel 4 to film a documentary about the record attempt.

The film is commissioned by Sara Ramsden, Commissioning Editor for Specialist Factual for Channel 4 and is produced by North One Television.

Sara Ramsden says: “Guy is the real deal of British motorsport. It’s only fitting and appropriate that he should be invited to attempt this world record at the legendary home of speed – the Bonneville Salt Flats.”

To follow the progress of the world land speed record attempt, please visit www.Triumph.co.uk

Ends

For further information please contact St John White or Faye Callaghan at Prova PR on 01926 776900 or email stjohnw@provapr.co.uk / fayec@provapr.co.uk

Channel 4 Press contact is Peter Heneghan