Graham Sykes, a 59-year-old self-professed "nutty inventor" and precision engineer from Yorkshire, England, has broken another track record - this time the World Land Speed record for a steam-powered motorcycle at 163 mph in 3.87 seconds over 1/8 mile - set at the UK/ITA World Records Speed Week. Called 'Force of Nature', the thrust-driven bike reached speeds of 169 mph using a self-designed steam powered rocket motor. The bike uses the latent energy of superheated, pressurised water that is then released through nozzles. The bike then turns this water to steam, which thrusts it forwards. The prior record was 80.509 mph set in 2014 by American inventor Bill Barnes with a wheel-driven bike. The invention is eco-friendly and uses nature, science and innovation to reach incredible speeds - "it's just a big bomb really, and it all started in my shed. I've taken the principles of chemistry and married them with precision engineering to create something I'm passionate about - fast bikes. I wanted to do this in a way that is sustainable for the planet (I've got nine grandkids after all), and that demonstrates that you don't have to compromise on speed, you just have to get creative." Graham had previously shattered the British national record for the fastest three-wheeled vehicle in 2015 with his self-built V8 three-wheeler "SYKO," reaching a peak speed of 180.3 mph (171.4 mph average over the flying 1/4 mile). Next up, Sykes plans to break his own record and become the fastest steam-powered vehicle ever, aiming to take the Steam Rocket Bike over the 200-mph mark in the standing 1/8 mile.
Pirelli is to be the official, exclusive tyre supplier to the lightweight and intermediate classes of Grand Prix racing - the Moto2 and Moto3 classes - from 2024 to 2026 inclusive. This new three-year agreement will see the Italian tyre marque become an integral part of the MotoGP Paddock, having had a long legacy as the sole supplier for all classes of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. The deal also extends across the 'Road to MotoGP' programme as Pirelli become the official and sole tyre supplier for all classes of the Finetwork FIM JuniorGP World Championship, the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup, the Northern Talent Cup and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, in addition to their established commitment to the FIM MiniGP World Series.
In 1945, the 'Meccanica Verghera Agusta', a helicopter and aeroplane manufacturer, started building its first motorcycles. Headed by Count Domenico Agusta, the company soon started competing in the road racing world championship. MV Agusta's first win at Assen came in 1952 in the 125 cc class, courtesy of the Brit Cecil Sandford. At the 1958 and 1960 Dutch TT all solo classes were won on MV Agusta. From 1968, MV Agusta's star rider Giacomo Agostini took all 350 cc and 500 cc victories at Assen for five years in a row. The 1976 350 cc Dutch TT marked both MV Agusta's and Agostini's final victory on Dutch soil, bringing the total number of Dutch TT-victories for MV Agusta to 35. This year, MV Agusta has announced that it will join the TABAC Classic GP Assen in an event partnership which marks the return of the brand to the 'Cathedral of Speed' - September 8 to 10.
Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) has marked its recent 10th anniversary as a publicly traded company by reporting record first quarter revenues of CAN$2,429m (+34%), EBITDA of $377m (+39%) and +3% North American Powersports retail sales growth. EPS of $2.38 marked an increase of $0.72 per share or +43%. The owner of Rotax in Austria, BRP recently commissioned its new European R&D campus on the Cote d'Azur and announced the return of the Can-Am brand to the motorcycle market with a range of electric models planned for showrooms in 2015.
Marc McAllister, President and CEO Tucker Powersports, has confirmed that Tucker will again support AIMExpo at Las Vegas, February 6-8, 2024. "Tucker recognises the importance of coming together as an industry and is proud to have a major presence at AIMExpo," said McAllister. "To share ideas, to connect with our dealers, to create inspiration, to showcase new products, and to strengthen our partnerships - it's important for us and the entire industry to be there"; www.aimexpousa.com
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com
