Triumph Motorcycles’ attempt to set a new land speed record with its specially-built 1,000hp Infor Rocket Streamliner has once again been hampered due to challenging conditions at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
Conditions appeared to be clear when the Streamliner, piloted by TT legend Guy Martin, set out to record the FIM-required certification run. However, the Streamliner then lost traction on a damp section of the salt surface, which caused its rear to step out of the line, sending it down the course.
Martin did not sustain any injuries in the incident, but the Streamliner will now be required to undergo a full inspection before it can set out on any further runs.
“It’s one of the challenges of land speed racing - the salt surface can be so unpredictable,” said designer Matt Markstaller. “We’ll fully inspect the streamliner and get ready for the next phase of our attempt.”
“It’s all part the job boy, isn’t it? Feeling our way. I guess if it was an easy thing to do, everyone would have done it by now,” added Guy Martin, after the incident. “So we’ll get a plan sorted and get on with the next go at it as soon as we get the chance.”