STRAIGHTLINERS
Go straight, go fast
Despite attempts from the authorities to clamp down on high speeds on public roads – and rightly so given how busy modern highways can be – there is still an inherent desire for a motorcyclist to know how fast his or her motorcycle is capable of going.
Fortunately, there are a number of events where we can see just how fast bikes are capable of going, from an owner’s view as well as that of a spectator, epitomised by the three events run at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire by the Straightliners team.
There are two Land Speed meetings held at the venue near York, in Spring and Autumn (May 22 and September 25-26 respectively), with the World Wheelie Championship running over the weekend of August 21-22.
While various standard bikes take part in the top speed events, there are a number of very special machines too, not least the huge horsepower Hayabusas – such as that ridden by Guy Martin (his 700bhp turbocharged Hayabusa is aiming at hitting 300mph in the mile!) – and turbocharged GSX-R 1000s, but also madcap machinery such as Graham Sykes’ incredibly engineered ‘Force of Nature’ steam-powered rocket bike, not to mention bizarre creations such as the world’s fastest shed, shopping trolley, tuk-tuk and toilet (yes, really).
However, the really impressive spectacle comes with the bikes that are clocking over 240mph on the mile. To stand trackside and see a bike tear past at a speed more than three times the national limit is impressive, and the sound is just incredible – that of air being torn asunder and crammed at high pressure into an internal combustion chamber with the engine revving at peak revolutions is truly astounding!
Many folk say that wheelies aren’t big, and they aren’t clever, but at the August World
Wheelie Championship, they are most definitely both of those things. The aim is to cover a one kilometre distance with the front wheel held aloft, with timing lights at the end of the kilometre measuring the terminal speed. In order to win, competitors need to be aiming at a terminal velocity of over 200mph, and remember this is on the back wheel!
All three events are timed by official Tag Heuer equipment and, as such, can be verified as world records both by the FIM and Guinness, if they’re fast enough.
More details can be found at www.straightliners.events or on the Straightliners News Channel on Facebook.
While entries are open to the general public, ratified safety wear is required (including full leathers, and back and chest protectors), while bikes must also be prepared to a required standard, including being fitted with metal tyre valves, and to have the sump plug and oil filter mechanically locked in position (i.e., by lockwire).