Many new British records were set during the Straightliners event at Pendine last weekend.
It was the first time that the Bonneville vehicle classification system was used on sand in the UK and many records were established.
Despite the unpredictable weather of the first day over 40 riders from as far a field as France turned up for action. The range of vehicles stretch from the most up to date powerful motorbikes to a pushbike and many classics and strange hybrids even a bike from the 1930’s was now running electric was in action.
Also of note over a kilometer on Saturday (21 May 2016) the following record was set by James Pratt (Dorchester on Thames) driving his ‘Poetry in Motion’ car, built on a 1926 Ford Model T chassis, at 85.307mph
The fastest man of the day was Terry Smith who hit 194.589mph on a Suzuki Haybusa over a mile and a half on Sunday 22 May 2016. Nearly 20 miles faster than his outing last year. Over the same distance Gilles Pujol (France) riding a strangely silent 1930’s ‘Majestic’ converted to electric reached 76.340mph
Chris Ireland (Great Yarmouth) and his ‘Indian scout’ motorbike from the 40s in the US was in action also. He was previously featured in a TV documentary, when he went to Bonneville Salt Flats Utah USA, for a speed record event in 2014.
In addition to all the power and noise cyclist Neil Campbell (Colchester) was attempting to set a new British absolute speed record for a pushbike. His interesting arrangement had him riding behind an estate car which acted as an aerodynamic shield. He reached an amazing 94.604mph.
Straightliners organise over 40 vehicle speed evens across the UK. It is unique in that it makes its events open to all comers. The events are regulated by the Auto-Cycle Union (ACU) and participants attempting records must hold an ACU licence and pass official scrutineering.
