Former World Superbike Champion James Toseland has launched a bid to break the World Motorcycle Land Speed record, which currently stands at 376.363mph.
Toseland, who recently married singer Katie Melua, has teamed up with the University of Derby and an all-British squad led by former GP and TT sidecar racer, Alex Macfadzean who is an engine development and dyno specialist, a former holder of the British bike land speed record, and the first UK record over 200mph.
"I am hugely excited about this record attempt but I’m under no illusions as to how difficult it will be. I’ve been racing motorcycles for most of my life but this means learning a completely new technique in order to pilot the motorcycle streamliner," said Toseland.
“The team involved with the project are amazing and really know their stuff, so I know I’m in safe hands in terms of the development. We’ve been in discussions about this for several months, but today at the University of Derby’s workshops I sat in the cockpit of the machine for the first time, so it now all seems very real.
“If successful, this will be a fantastic personal achievement but also a great accolade to bring back to the UK.”
The attempt will take place at the Bonneville Salt Flats, in the USA, in September 2014 and the team will try to break septic Rocky Robinson's record which was set in 2010.
