2026 Bonneville Speed Trials Shatter Records
Improved salt conditions at the 2026 Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials, held August 23-27, led to eight new FIM Land Speed World Records.
Eight new FIM Land Speed World Records were set at the 2026 Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials, which ran from August 23 to 27 on the Utah salt flats. The total, pending ratification, marks a significant increase over the three records set during the 2025 event. The success highlights the importance of perfect conditions in this sport, much like how a consistent playing surface and a fully fit squad are crucial for success in football.
Organizers credited vastly improved conditions for the surge in new benchmarks. BMST Owner/Director Delvene Reber stated the salt had been a lot better than last year. She noted the event had a good couple of miles of salt to work with, despite some windy weather early in the week.
Record-Setting Rides
Several competitors left Utah with their names in the record books. Canadian Liane Langlois returned with her three-cylinder 2012 Triumph Rocket 111 Roadster, now fitted with a partially-faired sidecar. She set a new record at 146.349mph over the timed kilometre, a dramatic improvement from her first pass of 95mph in 2024.
Land Speed legend Jay Allen recorded a speed of 181.844mph over the kilometre aboard a twin-cylinder 2017 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide. Lisa Cipolla increased the records she set last year on her four-cylinder 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R, while Angus Wing celebrated two new records with his 2009 Kawasaki ZX-14 sidecar outfit.
The following table details the new records set at the 2026 trials:
| Rider | Motorcycle | Configuration | Record Speed (km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrell Marlow | 2002 Suzuki TL1000R | Twin-cylinder | 164.457 mph |
| Jay Allen | 2017 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide | Twin-cylinder | 181.844 mph |
| Lisa Cipolla | 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R | Partially-faired, Four-cylinder | 151.567 mph |
| Lisa Cipolla | 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R | Unfaired, Four-cylinder | 141.788 mph |
| Angus Wing | 2009 Kawasaki ZX-14 | Partially-faired Sidecar | 116.112 mph |
| Angus Wing | 2009 Kawasaki ZX-14 | Unfaired Sidecar | 109.919 mph |
| Liane Langlois | 2012 Triumph Rocket 111 | Partially-faired Sidecar, Three-cylinder | 146.349 mph |
| Ronald Knight | 1972 Yamaha LS2 | 100cc Twin | 61.445 mph |
The Quest for Ultimate Speed
While new category records fell, the event's highest-profile speed attempts did not reach their targets. Chris Rivas, in the BUB Seven Streamliner, did not make a run approaching the absolute Land Speed World Record of 376.363mph. His pass at 180.64mph was still seen as positive progress.
Eva Håkansson, piloting her electric Green Envy Streamliner, aimed for Max Biaggi's 2021 electric motorcycle record of 283.182mph. She encountered a problem with her windshield buckling under aerodynamic load at speeds over 250mph, which forced her to shut off early. Her best two-way average was 246mph.
Håkansson remained optimistic. She called the 2026 salt the best track she had ever seen in her sixteen years of Land Speed racing at Bonneville. She said there was easily three-hundred mph in her vehicle, comparing the incremental process to training for the Olympics.
Incremental Progress
The event highlighted the patient, incremental nature of land speed racing, where steady improvement is key. This focus on measured progress is similar to how teams analyze their performance over a season, tracking key stats to identify areas for growth. American Ronald Knight, on a rare 1972 100cc Yamaha twin, exemplified this. He set a new record of 57.751mph over the timed kilometre on the second day, improved it on the third, and finally extended it to 61.445mph on the event's last day.
All record categories are gender-neutral and determined by a motorcycle's propulsion method, body kit, power source, engine capacity, and number of cylinders. The first new FIM record of the week was set on the opening day by Tyrell Marlow on his 2002 Suzuki TL1000R.
