British team to crack 400mph land speed record

A UK team has been formed with the intention of breaking the outright World Motorcycle Land Speed Record.

Powertec Angelic Bulldog Project hopes to set a new world record when they make their attempt at Bonneville Salt Flats in Summer 2010. The record stands at 360.913mph for the kilometre, set by Rocky Robinson in a machine called ‘Ack- Attack’ on 26th September 2008.

The British hopefuls have built a machine powered by an internal combustion engine supplied by Powertec Engineering from Peterborough.

Their unique RPA-V8 Macroblock engine, used in the Radical sports car, is based around the top-ends from two Suzuki Hayabusa engines. The 2.8L motor produces 450bhp, with a maximum torque of 250 lb ft, and a rev limit of 10,500rpm. Power is transmitted to a Quaife 6-speed gearbox out of a Radical sports car. For the record attempt, power will be boosted to 750bhp by nitrous oxide injection. Drive is to both sides of the rear wheel by chain.

The bike will be a whopping 6.6m long, with completely enclosed and streamlined to minimise aerodynamic drag and achieve the target speed. During the start of a run, small skids are used to stabilise the bike until it is balanced.

Project Manager and team rider, Gabriel Uttley, has raced three times at Bonneville Salt Flats, the scene of many record-breaking attempts. Uttley hopes to become the first person to travel at more than 400mph on two wheels and bring the record back to Britain for the first time since 1937.

Gabriel is assisted by members of the Angelic Bulldog Association, which includes specialists in motorbike design, fabrication, aerodynamics, performance, modelling, instrumentation, and other skills necessary to the success of the project. For more information go to: www.angelicbulldog.org.uk