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Mark Hinchliffe·
Motorbike news
··2 min read

Wheelie King sets new world speed record

Gary Rothwell in record wheelie action (photo Steve McDonald).
Gary Rothwell in record wheelie action (photo Steve McDonald).

 

The new World Wheelie King, Gary Rothwell of Liverpool, has broken his own world speed wheelie record set just last month.

Gary set a record of 197mph (317km/h) at the Motorcycle Wheelie World Championship in August, but last weekend he topped that with a run of 209mph (336km/h) for a motorcycle kilometre wheelie at the Straightliners Events Top Speed at Elvington Airfield near York.

Gary Rothwell in record wheelie action (photo Steve McDonald).
Gary Rothwell in record wheelie action (photo Steve McDonald).

It is also worth nothing that top speed rider Jack Frost broke a chain at 210mph (338km/h) and couldn’t complete his run.

One armed high speed motorcycle rider Andy Slade who reached nearly 175mph (photo Andy Menzies) wheelie
Andy Slade (photo Andy Menzies)

Meanwhile one-armed rider Andy Slade reached nearly 175mph (281km/h).

The chain of Jack Frost's Haybusa Turbo 1300cc snaps at 210mph (photo Andy Menzies) qwheelie
Jack Frost’s Haybusa Turbo 1300cc snaps a chain (photo Andy Menzies)

The weekend also saw some other unusual world record automotive speed records established:

  • Kevin Nicks of Oxford and his motorised shed set a world speed record of 88.068mph (141.73km/h);
  • Kevin Scott (Lincoln) and his monowheel ‘Warhorse’ set a world record speed of 61.18mph (98.45km/h);
    Kevin Scott and his monowheel 'Warhorse' (photo Andy Menzies)
    Kevin Scott and his monowheel ‘Warhorse’ (photo Andy Menzies)
  • Tom Armitage (Leeds) in his ‘Postman Pat’ van set a world record speed of 107.4mph (172.84km/h); and
  • Matt McKeown (Plymouth) on his jet powered shopping trolley set an unofficial world record of 61.18mph (98.45km/h).
Matt McKeown (Plymouth) on his jet powered shopping trolley set an unofficial world record of 61.18mph (photo Steve McDonald) wheelie
Matt McKeown (Plymouth) on his jet powered shopping trolley set an unofficial world record of 61.18mph (photo Steve McDonald)

To establish a record participants had to complete a run in both direction records meeting over a kilometre or a quarter mile. Record ratification and timing was administered by to UK Timing Association (UKTA).

The Top Speed weekend was organised by Straightliners Events who offer an “open-door” policy to motorsport professional and enthusiasts by removing unnecessary red tape. Straightliners spokesman Trevor Duckworth says that once potential participants pass official scrutineering they are free to enjoy the top speed and skilled handling events.

“What is particularly significant about this event is the fact that the main international automotive speed event at Bonneville in Utah this year has been called off due to surface problems.

“As a result the Straightliners meet is the main speed event for UK participants is the last major event for 2015.”