Castrol Rocket Aims for World Land Speed Record

Racing icons Castrol and Triumph launch unique streamliner motorcycle

WENDOVER, Utah, August 29, 2013 – Once proclaimed the king of the Bonneville Salt Flats, Triumph Motorcycles is back at work on its latest innovation. This time with the world’s most technologically-advanced streamlined motorcycle – the Hot Rod Conspiracy/Carpenter Racing Castrol Rocket.

The Castrol Rocket is unique in that it’s a 1,000-horsepower motorcycle built like a fighter jet. The project is undergoing testing this week at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats in northwestern Utah. The goal is an eventual 400-mph-plus record-breaking run. The current American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) motorcycle land speed record is 376.156 mph, set in 2010, by Rocky Robinson with the Ack Attack streamliner.

“Castrol has been actively involved with land speed racing on multiple platforms across the globe and since competitors started running at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1914," said Rob Corini, Brand Manager, Castrol Motorcycle and Powersports Products. “The Castrol Rocket personifies our heritage as a performance brand, with an incredible balance of power and aerodynamics, and is capable of amazing speeds. It’s the ultimate symbol of performance."

A shared passion for land speed racing brought aerodynamic engineer Matt Markstaller, engine builder Bob Carpenter and Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo together. The cross-country team – from Oregon, New Jersey and Alabama respectively – quickly discovered a shared interest to create and race the world’s fastest motorcycle. The Castrol Rocket is their labor of love – an homage to the high-performance heritage of Castrol and Triumph.

"Land speed racing is the purest form of motorsport. It's about bringing all of your ingenuity, resources and determination together for a constant battle against the elements," said pilot Jason DiSalvo. "The salt surface has little traction. The wind pushes against you from every side. But what's really special about Bonneville Land Speed Racing is the people. The conditions are so challenging that for the past 100 years, racers with little else in common, have banded together to support and encourage each other to become the world's fastest."

The Triumph name has been synonymous with speed since its four record-breaking motorcycle records with Devil’s Arrow, Texas Cee-gar, Dudek/Johnson and Gyronaut X1. From 1955 to 1970, with the exception of a brief 33-day period, Triumph was “The World’s Fastest Motorcycle.” The Castrol Rocket aims to restore that title.

"This project is a celebration of Castrol and Triumph's motorsports heritage, innovation, courage and perseverance,” said Greg Heichelbech, President and CEO, Triumph Motorcycles North America. “It's an incredible opportunity to simultaneously chase history and celebrate your heritage. Our hats are off to the Hot Rod Conspiracy/Carpenter Racing team and all of the racers who make land speed racing such a colorful and meaningful sport.”

CASTROL ROCKET SPECS:

• Chassis: Carbon Kevlar monocoque
• Dimensions: 25’ x 2’ x 3’
• Engines: Two Triumph Rocket III engines
• Horsepower: 1,000-plus-horsepower at 9,000 rpm
• Torque: 500-plus lbs. combined
• Suspension: Custom made by Hot Rod Conspiracy
• Fuel: Methanol
• Tires: Goodyear Land Speed Special
• Engine Lubricant: Castrol Power RS™ 4T 10W-40 full synthetic oil

For more information on the Castrol Rocket, please visit castrolrocket.com.

For interviews, more detailed specs, additional imagery or video, please contact Kit Werbe at 317.270.7644.

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About Hot Rod Conspiracy

Hot Rod Conspiracy is led by aerodynamic engineer Matt Markstaller, who manages test and development engineering for Daimler Trucks in Portland, Oregon. In addition to developing aerodynamic designs that improve vehicle speed, handling and fuel efficiency, the Hot Rod Conspiracy team creates one-of-a-kind performance vehicles featured in national magazines and the industry-leading SEMA show. For more information visit HotRodConspiracy.com.

About Carpenter Racing

Carpenter Racing, operated by two time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Champion Bob Carpenter, is the motorcycle industry’s leading performance cylinder head porting resource. One of Carpenter’s more popular products is his proprietary Triumph Rocket III performance package that produces 240 rear wheel horsepower. The fully streetable performance package has turned in quarter-mile drag strip times of 8.99 seconds and 155mph and set American (AMA) and International (FIM) world land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats at 175mph. To learn more, please visit CarpenterRacing.com.

About Jason DiSalvo

Professional motorcycle racer Jason DiSalvo entered his first race at age 4 and became the national 125cc Mile Dirt Track Champion at 13 years of age. He then moved to Grand Prix motorcycle racing and won several national championships en route to a professional career riding for leading factory race teams. DiSalvo competed internationally in the British, European and Spanish Championship Series before riding for the Triumph BE1 Racing World Supersport team. Returning to America, DiSalvo continues to race Triumph motorcycles for Latus Motors Racing Triumph. In 2012, he set AMA and FIM land speed racing records at the Bonneville Salt Flats on a Carpenter Racing powered Triumph Rocket III Roadster. Learn more about Jason at JasonDiSalvo.com.

About Castrol 

BP Lubricants USA Inc. markets premium lubricants and business building programs to leading retailers, motor sports dealers, independent service providers and new car dealers. Our leadership motorcycle brands include Castrol Power RS – an advanced full synthetic and Castrol Actevo Xtra – a part synthetic providing continuous protection. To find out more about Castrol products and programs, please call 1–888–CASTROL, log on to http://www.castrol.com/us or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook/CastrolMoto.

About Triumph Motorcycles

Triumph Motorcycles is the British motorcycle marque that produces a wide range of sport, cruiser, adventure and touring motorcycles. From the storied Bonneville to the class-leading Speed Triple and Daytona 675R, Triumph offers a blend of design, character and performance that result in truly distinctive motorcycles. First established in 1902 and now located in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, Triumph has always set the pace for category-winning machines. The company is solely owned by Bloor Holdings Ltd. and its North American operations are based in Atlanta. To see the full range of Triumph motorcycles visit www.TriumphMotorcycles.com.  

CONTACT:
Kit Werbe
317.569.0440 (o)
317.270.7644 (c)
kwerbe@ussportsadvisors.com

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