The International Speed Trials by BUB, where AMA national and FIM world motorcycle land-speed records are targeted every year, produced several records despite less than ideal conditions on the salt on Aug. 30-Sept. at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

However, one of those was not the outright FIM world record, which stands at 360.913 mph and was set by rider Rocky Robinson and builder Mike Akatiff in 2008.

But rider Chris Carr gave it a shot in the Denis Manning-built No. 7 streamliner. Unfortunately, a mechanical breakdown at the end of Carr’s first run -- the exhaust broke, igniting a portion of the fuselage -- ended the former AMA Flat Track Champion’s hopes.

 

“As you’re well aware, I name all my motorbikes,” said Manning. “I call this one ‘7’ because It’s my seventh bike, but I should have named it ‘if,’ as in, ‘If it doesn’t rain, if the wind doesn’t blow or if it doesn’t catch fire, we’ll set the record.’”

Records that were set -- although not yet certified by AMA Racing -- included Leslie Porterfield’s top national time in the APS BF 1350 class. Porterfield, the fastest woman on two wheels, added a few miles per hour to her two-run average, going just over 234 mph through the measured mile.

Mission Motors product manager and test rider Jeremy Cleland also claimed an unofficial record in the class for electric motorcycles. Cleland had a two-way average of about 150 mph.

One of the more successful brands at the meet was Triumph, which of course has sold the Bonneville model for decades. Five unofficial land-speed records were set. British racing journalist Alan Cathcart from the United Kingdom teamed up with South Bay Triumph owner Matt Capri of Lomita, Calif., to set the records with the iconic British motorcycle at its namesake race course.

For more information, see SpeedTrialsByBUB.com. Full results will be available at AMARacing.com once they are ratified.