New Triumph SCTA record set

 Vintage Triumph pre unit motorcycle racing

Every August since 1949 (weather permitting), the Southern California Timing Association has organized the Bonneville National Speed Trials at the famed salt flats in Wendover Utah.

This event is a week long all out festival of speed for cars, motorcycles, and all sorts of wheeled vehicles. A vast array of race teams attend, from well equipped (and financed) factory sponsored entries to shoestring budget home built machines, and everything in between.

Triumph pre unit racing engine

I was tuning an engine I built for a Swiss race team, who were running a 1955 650 T110 engine in the vintage gas 750 class. Using a pair of standard Amal 389 "chopped" monobloc carbs with matchbox remote floats on the original iron head, the top average speed over the measured mile was 126.832 mph. After a few tuning runs a new speed record was established of 123.534 for the A-VG 750 class.

Bonneville can be a tough place. Even the best prepared teams often find that something happens that they weren't ready for. It could be mechanical parts breaking, unexpected wind, traction problems, or a host of other issues all in 100 degree heat with no shade.

It is every gearhead's dream to find out what top speed potential is in their machine. Sometimes you set records but still don't find out. There is always next year though...

New Triumph SCTA Bonneville record

To keep up with the SCTA racing Bonneville or El Mirage schedule click here


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