Bonneville Speed Week: Buell and Triumph competitors chase land speed records

Participants at the Bonneville Speed Week are attempting to set new land speed records on the salt flats.

Buell’s Project Leviathan, a motorcycle designed with a target speed of 400 km/h, completed its first run at Bonneville. Driven by Jacob Stark, the 400 CV machine reached a top speed of approximately 287 km/h. The team encountered technical difficulties with gear shifts and wheel stability at high speeds, specifically noting challenges when transitioning to higher gears and managing wheel rotation above 200 mph.

In the sidecar category, Liane Langlois is attempting to break the 220 km/h barrier using a modified Triumph Rocket III. The 2,295 cc vehicle has undergone aerodynamic updates, including a new windscreen and sidecar wheel cover, to compete in a new FIM regulation division. Langlois aims to surpass her previous record of approximately 219 km/h, aided by improved salt surface conditions.