The Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner has become the world’s fastest ever Triumph by achieving a speed of 274.2 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats on 8 August, 2016. Piloted by TT legend Guy Martin, the streamliner smashed the previous official Triumph record that stood at 245.667 mph as well as the unofficial Triumph Record of 264mph, both set by Bob Leppan, in the Gyronaut X-1.
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Just after 8:30 am today, Guy Martin set off on the first run of the final day of the team’s land speed practice week in near perfect weather conditions. After a steady start, Martin accelerated the streamliner to a staggering 274.2 mph, rewriting Triumph history in the process. Just after the two mile marker Martin came to a controlled stop near to the team’s base camp to be greeted by the news that he had broken the 46 year old Triumph record.
When asked about becoming the fastest ever Triumph record holder Martin commented: “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.” Vimal Sumbly, Managing Director, Triumph Motorcycles India said, “I congratulate Guy Martin for achieving the feat of riding the fastest ever Triumph. We are keeping a close watch on the developments at the Bonneville Salt Flats and hope the new land speed record comes home.”
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The Triumph Infor Rocket 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 feet long, 2 feet wide and 3 feet 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 1956, when he reached the record breaking speed of 193.72 mph.
Triumph has a history of breaking the land speed record, holding the title of ‘World’s Fastest Motorcycle’ between 1955 to 1970. The record-breaking Triumph Streamliners included: 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 record, held by Rocky Robinson since 2010 riding the Top Oil-Ack Attack streamliner, sits at 376.363 mph (605.697 km/h).