Motorbike ace James Toseland will attempt to break the current motorcycle World Land Speed Record. Come September 2014, the former two times World Superbike Champion will take to Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats to make his attempt to break the current World Record of 376.363 miles per hour currently held by American Rocky Robinson.
The “52 Express” motorcycle streamliner in which Toseland aims to reach over 400 mile per hour is currently being built by former GP and TT sidecar racer Alex Macfadzean. Macfadzean is familiar with the huge task Toseland faces, he himself being a former holder of the British Land Speed Record and the first man in the UK to reach a speed of over 200 mph. The bike will be powered by a Rolls Royce Gem gas turbine engine from a Lynx helicopter and featuring a belt drive system.
A graphic representation of the 52 Express Streamliner on which James Toseland will attempt to break the Land Speed World Record in 2014.
With the challenge of a lifetime ahead of him, Toseland is in no doubt of the magnitude of the challenge that he will be undertaking:
“I am hugely excited about this record attempt but I’m under no illusions as to how difficult it will be”
“If successful, this will be a fantastic personal achievement but also a great accolade to bring back to the UK”
With project manager Robin Richardson leading a team based at the University of Derby, JD Classics’ in house bodyshop specialists will be painting the streamliner in readiness for its forthcoming appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
The bike will also be in attendance at JD Classics’ Essex based headquarters for our breakfast morning on Sunday 27th October, along with pilot James and fellow motor cycle World Champion and only man to win titles on both two and four wheels, John Surtees.