Castrol Rocket Aims For 400mph To Set A New Land-Speed Record at Bonneville

Triumph held the title of “World’s Fastest Motorcycle” from 1955 to 1970 with the exception of a brief 33-day period. The Triumph streamliners to carry world records were Devil’s Arrow, Texas Cee-gar and Gyronaut X1, the last being at 245.60 mph (395.28 km/h). Now the Triumph is preparing to take his honor back with Castrol Rocket, which is under development. They are targeting a speed of 400mph (643kmph) to surpass the current land speed record of 376.363mph (605.697kmph) set by Rocky Robinson in an Ack Attack streamliner back in September 2010.

Matt Markstaller (aerodynamic engineer), Bob Carpenter (high-performance engine builder), and Jason DiSalvo ( Daytona 200 winner and Bonneville class record holder) have pulled together a team of people to restore Triumph Motorcycles’ legacy in land-speed racing. Man’s passion has always launched innovation, and these three men have set out to design, build and ride the world’s most advanced streamliner, the Castrol Rocket.

The 20-foot-long Ack Attack was powered by 900 hp 2600cc heavily-modded Suzuki Twin Hayabusa engines. A carbon fiber skin held in a chromoly tube frame linking the wheels, cockpit and powertrain. Mickey Thompson ultra-high-speed tires—7” in front and 9” in back—provides the traction.

Two years earlier, the Ack Attack had broken the 16-year-old record of 322.149 mph with a 342.797 run, but only held onto that one for two days before the BUB Seven stole the show. As the quest for 400 rages on, the Ack Attack remains king of two wheels for now at 376.363 mph (605.697 km/h).

The 2013 edition Castrol Rocket features 25 feet long, 2 feet wide and 3 feet high Carbon Kevlar monocoque construction, running on specially customized suspensions by Hot Rod Conspiracy and Land Speed Special tyres by Goodyears. The whole streamline has been constructed in cooperation of Hot-Rod Conspiracy (Concept Development, Design Integration and Fabrication) and Carpenter Racing (Engine Modifications). The project has been sponsored by many organisations of the field.

The Triumph Rocket Streamliner uses two turbocharged Triumph Rocket III engines modified by Carpenters racing to deliver more than 1,000 HP. Engine's stock displacement has been reduced from 2294cc to 1485cc to meet the 3,000cc maximum total displacement to compete in the Division C (Streamlined)- Type V (5) Spark Ignition, Over 2,000cc to 3,000cc class.

The engine bore remains same at 4" while the long stroke of the piston has been reduced from 3.75" to 2.4", results increased engine redline from 5750rpm to 9000rpm. Methanol Fuel powers the engines filled with Castrol 4T 10W40 whole synthetic oil. One separate Garrett GT2876R ball bearing, liquid cooled turbocharger forces air in the engine during induction stroke.