Toseland primed for world land speed record attempt

52 Express Streamliner motorcycle Former two times World Superbike Champion James Toseland will attempt to break the current motorcycle world land speed record with the ‘52 Express’ Streamliner motorcycle in September 2014 on Utah’s hallowed Bonneville Salt Flats.
The current World Land Speed record of 376.363mph is held by American Rocky Robinson, but Toseland’s belt-driven ‘52 Express’ aims to reach over 400 mph with its Rolls Royce Gem gas turbine Lynx helicopter engine.
The ‘52 Express’ is being built by a team lead by Project Manager Robin Richardson at the University of Derby and former GP and TT sidecar racer Alex Macfadzean.
As a former holder of the British land speed record and the first man in the UK to reach a speed of over 200 mph, Macfadzean is familiar with the huge task Toseland faces.
James Toseland added: "I am hugely excited about this record attempt but I’m under no illusions as to how difficult it will be. If successful, this will be a fantastic personal achievement but also a great accolade to bring back to the UK."
The ‘52 Express’ will also be on display at JD Classics’ Essex based headquarters for our Breakfast Morning on Sunday 27th October along with James and fellow motorcycle World Champion and only man to win championships on both two and four wheels, John Surtees.
JD Classics Managing Director Derek Hood commented: "Although we are a classic car specialist it has been very exciting to support James in his bid to break the motorcycle world land speed record. The 52 Express had to be painted while keeping weight to an absolute minimum. All micron builds have been carefully measured and the number of coats kept as low as possible."