Toseland aims for 400mph

DOUBLE World Superbike champion James Toseland is aiming to set a new official world motorcycle land speed record – aiming to achieve a speed of at least 400mph.

The current Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) record is 376.363mph, held by American 'Rocky' Robinson.

Toseland is backed by an all-British team, led by former GP and TT sidecar racer, Alex Macfadzean. The attempt is scheduled to take place at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, in September 2014.

Macfadzean has previously held the British bike land speed record, and the first UK record over 200mph - he is also an engine development and dyno specialist and has masterminded the technical side of the project, with support from staff and students from the University of Derby’s Motorsports courses.

Toseland is a former two-time World Superbike champion and, more recently, husband to jazz-inflected singer-songwriter Katie Melua. 

He said: 'I am hugely excited about this record attempt but I’m under no illusions as to how difficult it will be. I’ve been racing motorcycles for most of my life but this means learning a completely new technique in order to pilot the motorcycle streamliner.

'If successful, this will be a fantastic personal achievement but also a great accolade to bring back to the UK.'