Jimmy Cox being giving the honor of driving record-breaking car EX-181
Highlights

Jimmy Cox – MG Guru and Hall of Fame Inductee

Jimmy Cox is a former engine guru and works mechanic at the MG Development Department responsible for many of the company’s racing and record-breaking successes. He was with the successful MG record breaking team at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1959 and was also part of the MG team who went to Le Mans in 1955. Jimmy Cox will be inducted into the British Sports Car Hall of Fame on June 2, 2017. In 1945, at the young age of just 14, Jimmy Cox started work at MG’s Abingdon factory as a mere messenger boy. That eventually led to work on the MG TC production line, but in 1949 Cox entered the military for his two-year duties. Upon returning to MG in 1951 he again was working on standard production cars but soon had the opportunity to take over responsibility […]

VotW - Minis on Jay Leno's Garage
MINI

VotW – Bonneville Mini on Jay Leno’s Garage

Our video of the week this go-round features  a couple fast Minis at Jay Leno’s Garage. Well, I should say a fast Mini and an outrageously fast oh-my-lord-what-was-that Mini.  The show is presented, with Jay Leno, by Graham Reid of the Heritage Garage garage out in California. Graham Reid takes Jay for a ride in his vintage Mini Cooper. I you are into Minis, or any of the derivatives, you owe it to yourself to check out Heritage Garage. They carry a great supply of Mini parts and pieces – including racing and tuning trinkets that are quite hard to come by. Plus they really seem to know their stuff. For those of you who are not familiar with Jay Leno’s Garage, here is the official blurb… ‘After retiring from his perch atop the late-night TV ratings in 2014, comedian […]

Triumph Motorcycle confirms new World Land Speed Record attempt
Racing and Competition

Triumph Motorcycles Postpones Land Speed Record

Triumph Motorcycles has confirmed that the current stage of its land speed record attempt has been postponed due to the course conditions at Bonneville. Rain at the start of the week has continued to affect the team’s running during the last seven days. While track inspections have shown that conditions improved, it has not been possible to create the constancy across the full eleven-mile course required for the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner to safely conduct a Land Speed Record attempt. Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner designer Matt Markstaller said: I know people will be disappointed at this news, but the safety of the rider, Guy Martin, and the wider team supporting the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner has to be our prime consideration. The course conditions on the salt flats have forced us to wait for another window of opportunity. The team […]

The world's fastest Triumph - the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamline
Racing and Competition

Triumph Motorcycles Confirms September Date for Record Attempt

Following a successful practice session at the Bonneville Salt Flats, achieving a speed of 274.2 mph to become the world’s fastest ever Triumph, Triumph Motorcycles has confirmed the attempt to set a new outright motorcycle Land Speed World Record will take place mid-September, 2016, weather permitting. Piloted by TT star Guy Martin the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner will return to the famous Bonneville salt flats and attempt to beat the current 376.8mph record speed on an 11 mile-long course. Despite having a good course surface for testing the team felt that the salt wasn’t yet fully capable of supporting a top-speed streamliner run. In consultation with FIM course manager Mike Cook  the team are targeting the September dates as the best possible opportunity for the optimal course conditions required for the record attempt.

The world's fastest Triumph - the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner
Racing and Competition

Triumph Infor Rocket Becomes World’s Fastest Triumph

The Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner has become the world’s fastest ever Triumph by achieving a speed of 274.2 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats on 8 August, 2016. Piloted by TT legend Guy Martin, the streamliner smashed the previous official Triumph record that stood at 245.667 mph as well as the unofficial Triumph Record of 264mph, both set by Bob Leppan, in the Gyronaut X-1. Near perfect conditions greeted the team on the final day of the team’s land speed practice week. With confidence high after a successful number of days running on the salt at Bonneville the team’s goal for the day with the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner was the Triumph record. 

Triumph Motorcycle confirms new World Land Speed Record attempt
Racing and Competition

Triumph Motorcycles to Attempt Land Speed Record

Triumph Motorcycles, the iconic British motorcycle brand, has confirmed that it will return to the legendary salt flats of Bonneville, USA, in August 2016 to break the motorcycle world land speed record. Triumph’s aim is to exceed the current record that stands at 376.363 mph, using its purpose built 1,000 bhp Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner. Riding the purpose-built Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner over the measured mile will be Isle of Man TT racer and multiple speed record holder Guy Martin. Title partner for Triumph’s 2016 record attempt will be global cloud applications provider Infor with further support from iconic clothing brand Belstaff.

No Picture
Classic Cars

MG Midget Makes Bonneville Speed Record

Belated news … On September 7, 2014, Milwaukee Midget Racing established a new Bonneville course record of 122.539 mph for the I/GT class. This was the oldest standing record in the GT category—it stood unbeaten for more than 22 years.The 1971 MG Midget, running a 999cc, 5-port A-series engine, and driven by owner Chris Conrad, ran a best speed of 126.684, with an average record speed of 122.539, during the 2014 Utah Salt Flat Racing Association’s World of Speed event. Through continued work and racing development, it is Milwaukee Midget Racing’s intent to keep and maintain class dominance in the one liter stock bodied sports car category, and maintain MG’s presence as both a historic and relevant marque in Land Speed Racing.