Photo: screenshot from YouTube
TT legend Guy Martin’s schedule now includes breaking the speed record on a streamlined motorcycle down at the Salt Flats, but, after what happened there lately, the attempt will have to wait until the conditions will allow it.
Guy’s attempt at breaking the current 376.36 mph (605.69 km/h) speed record has suffered a number of setbacks at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Last week, the specially built Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner tipped over when it passed over a rut in the track as the machine was towed to the start line.
This weekend, a damp section on the salt made the bike skid on the track after just one mile and crash. Thankfully, Guy escaped with no injuries from both the incidents and is looking forward to dominate the record as soon as the conditions will allow.
"I know people will be disappointed at this news, but the safety of the rider, Guy Martin, and the wider team supporting the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner has to be our prime consideration,” streamliner designer Matt Markstaller said. “The course conditions on the salt flats have forced us to wait for another window of opportunity.”
Last week, Martin completed just one run, reaching 198 mph (318.6 km/h) riding across seven miles of the total course. However, the bike became the fastest to be built by Triumph in an August practice, reaching a max speed of 274.2 mph (441.3 km.h).
Triumph’s Infor Rocket Streamliner is 25.5 feet long (7.7 m), 2 feet (0.6 m) wide and 3 feet (0.9 m) tall. It uses a Kevlar monocoque construction and is powered by two turbocharged Rocket III engines fueled by methanol. Total power rises to 1,000 hp at 9,000 rpm. Under ideal circumstances, the streamliner is expected to reach 400 mph (643.7 km/h), raising the bar quite high for the next speed freak to beat.
This weekend, a damp section on the salt made the bike skid on the track after just one mile and crash. Thankfully, Guy escaped with no injuries from both the incidents and is looking forward to dominate the record as soon as the conditions will allow.
"I know people will be disappointed at this news, but the safety of the rider, Guy Martin, and the wider team supporting the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner has to be our prime consideration,” streamliner designer Matt Markstaller said. “The course conditions on the salt flats have forced us to wait for another window of opportunity.”
Last week, Martin completed just one run, reaching 198 mph (318.6 km/h) riding across seven miles of the total course. However, the bike became the fastest to be built by Triumph in an August practice, reaching a max speed of 274.2 mph (441.3 km.h).
Triumph’s Infor Rocket Streamliner is 25.5 feet long (7.7 m), 2 feet (0.6 m) wide and 3 feet (0.9 m) tall. It uses a Kevlar monocoque construction and is powered by two turbocharged Rocket III engines fueled by methanol. Total power rises to 1,000 hp at 9,000 rpm. Under ideal circumstances, the streamliner is expected to reach 400 mph (643.7 km/h), raising the bar quite high for the next speed freak to beat.
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