Guy Martin breaks Triumph speed record

Guy Martin has written his name into the record books again as he took the record for the fastest speed ever attained by a Triumph powered bike at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

Driving the purpose built Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner to a top speed through the measured mile of 274.2mph smashing the previous record of 245.6mph. The run was completed yesterday at 8:30am in perfect conditions. Guy and the team are working towards an overall land speed record of more than 400mph but as Guy is new to the salt and the bike, the team are gently turning up the wick. 

That’s not to say they are not impressed with how quickly the TT racer and all round daredevil is adapting to life on the salt.

Speaking about the record, Triumph said, “It’s further proof of Martin’s growing confidence on the salt and commitment to breaking the World two wheeled Land Speed record. Throughout the week Martin has continued to impress everyone within the team with the speed in which he has been able to master the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner on the salt. Each time Martin has sat in the streamliner he has been able to achieve the goals set by the Crew Chief.”

After the run Guy said, “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.”  Clearly focused on the job in hand the team hope to have the record in the bag later this month.

The bike itself is a work of art from the lightweight carbon and Kevlar monocoque construction, to its twin Triumph Rocket III engines running Garrett turbos and force fed methanol, the bike produces 1,000bhp and 500ft. lbs. of torque.  The bike runs in Category C for streamlined vehicles and the record the team are pushing for has been held by Rocky Robinson and the Top Oil-Ack Attack Streamliner since 2010.

Martin is no stranger to risky rides and records, his Channel 4 TV show which documents his exploits around the globe has seen the Lincolnshire ‘truck mechanic’ ride a modified bike on water, fly down a French mountain in a gravity racer, chase a lorry on a pushbike at over 100mph and try to break the record for the fastest ever hovercraft!  As if flying around a road course on a 200+bhp superbike wasn’t exciting enough Guy actively goes out and seeks new activities, the phrase adrenalin junkie has never been more apt! 

Fast Facts

• The bike name Bonneville comes from a record run on the salt flats by Johnny Allen in 1956

• The record stands currently at 376.363mph

• At 400mph the bike will pass the measured mile in about 9 seconds

• At 400mph in 1 minute you would travel 6.7 miles

• The shock absorbers have been provided by Ohlins

• Land’s End to John O’Groats would take 2 hours and 5 minutes

*Martin and the Triumph team will go for the world land speed record later this month and Bike Social will be on site covering it live!*