450mph jet powered bike aims to break speed record

Richard Brown's Jet Reaction measures 6.5 x 0.5m and is powered by 500kg of thrust from a 1250hp afterburning jet engine. The bike is expected to reach peak speeds of 450mph to claim the record in Bonneville, Utah in 2013. Construction is already well advanced and Brown says he intends to be running static engine tests before the end of January. UK runway testing is due to begin in the spring once all systems are operational. The world record is currently held by Rocky Robinson of the USA, whose Ack Attack Streamliner hit 376mph in 2010. Brown currently holds the record for the fastest non-American on two wheels. His rocket powered Gillette Mach3 Challenger narrowly missed the world title in 1999. Brown says he is cautiously confident at this early stage: "We're coming to this attempt in a very strong position given my prior experience with the GM3C. "But it's the things you can't control, the weather and sponsorship that always add another layer of difficulty to the engineering challenge itself. You just have to keep focused on your goal and you will find a way through." Brown and his team are now actively seeking sponsorship to help realise their land speed record ambition.