Guy Martin is all set to tackle the Bonneville Salt Flats as he attempts to break the current motorcycle land speed record held by Rocky Robinson and the Top Oil-Ack Attack streamliner. Ever the showman, Martin will be followed by TV cameras in the record-setting challenge, footage of which will be used by the UK’s Channel 4 station to produce a documentary along the lines of past works Martin has done for the network.
Martin will definitely have his work cut out for him. This isn’t your typical Saturday afternoon record attempt; this is the holy grail of all motorcycle speed records->ke3224 that was set by Robinson when he was clocked hitting a top speed of 376.363 mph back in 2010. Fortunately, Martin will have UK motorcycle company Triumph->ke1864 by its side. The bike manufacturer is no stranger to setting motorcycle land speed records, having held that title numerous times in the past, including a period of 15 years from 1955 to 1970.
Unfortunately, the company hasn’t held the record since it lost it to Cal Rayborn and Harley-Davidson back in 1970.
It’s taken 45 years to get back to this point, but the company now believes that it has the rider - Martin - and the machine - the 2015 Rocket Streamliner - that can put an end to Robinson’s five-year reign as the world record-holder.
In typical Guy Martin fashion, the rider doesn’t appear be sweating the enormous challenge that lies ahead. After all, breaking records is old hat for this guy. Remember, this is the same man who broke the British and Commonwealth motor-paced cycling record by pedalling at a speed of 112.94 mph behind a modified racing truck and set a new world sledge speed record of 83.5 mph, shattering the previous mark by over 21 mph.
If everything falls according to his and Triumph’s plans, Martin could very well end up etching his name into the hallowed list of individuals who have held the motorcycle land speed of record.
We’re going to have to wait for the end of August 2015 to see if Martin can do just that and conquer the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Continue reading to read more about Guy Martin's bid to break the motorcycle land speed record.
Why it matters
Was there ever any doubt that Guy Martin would be the one to try to bring world record glory back in the hands of Triumph?
Martin will be piloting the 2015 Triumph Rocket Streamliner in this record-breaking attempt. The machine itself is built for such an extreme purpose and Triumph itself made sure that it’s fully capable of achieving its goal.
The monocoque of the 25.5-foot long speedster is made up carbon Kevlar. That’s the kind of material that’s used specifically for this purpose, which goes to show just how serious Triumph is in trying to break the existing world record. As if that’s not enough, the Rocket Streamliner will use methanol fuel to power a pair of Rocket III engines, allowing the motorcycle to produce a staggering 1,000 horsepower at 9,000 rpm.
Triumph also spent an inordinate amount of time testing the Rocket Streamliner to ensure that it’s working in peak form when Martin sets on his record-breaking attempt.
I refuse to make predictions for races like this because a lot of things can happen that can affect the attempt. But I am a little optimistic about Triumph’s chances, knowing that Guy Martin will be in the saddle for this record run.
If he does break the record, Martin’s place in the annals of motorcycle records will be permanently etched in stone. The same can be said for the 2015 Rocket Streamliner, which will join Devil's Arrow, Texas Cee-gar, Dudek Streamliner, and Gyronaut X1 as Triumph’s five record-breaking Streamliners.