The designer and frame builder is Stu Rogers from Wisbech. He has been the Engineer/Proprietor of Stu Rogers International Norton Spares for 28 years.
Stu is also a rider, and won Daytona on his 1939 SRS Norton in 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996 Pre ’40 Class. In 1995 and 1996 Class C, and on a 250 Ducati in 1995. In 1993 he won the #1 plate in the Pre ’40 and Class C Classics. He was British Vintage Unlimited Champion in 1974 and Pre ’48 Champion in 1989 and 1990.
Stu, raced a streamliner at Bonneville in 1997 powered by a Vincent engine. He met Gabriel shortly afterwards, and the two started talking about building their own streamliner. I first met Gabriel at an NSA sprint in Sept 1997 after returning from Bonneville earlier that month. I had spent the previous 3 months in Greenville, Virginia helping to build the Black Lightning Vincent streamliner before racing it at Bonneville in the August Speed Week. The Vincent Teams unsuccessful attempt left me with unfinished business, but I was getting a little long in the tooth to start a project of my own and I knew the immense financial implications, although I still had streamliner fever.
I met Gabriel again at Santa Pod in Sept 2002 where his enthusiasm for his own land speed record attempt was infectious, so I made him the offer of using my workshop facilities and told him to keep in touch. He came up with offers and ideas for a few different variations of modern, double-engined propulsion, but I had my doubts, not liking the complication of linked engine set-ups.
Early in 2008 he rang me to say that he had been offered the Powertec V8 Hyabusa based 2.8L engine and things started to take shape from there.
Stus Bonneville experience and knowledge of bike building will allow the record attempt vehicle to be light and strong.
Read more about Stu’s adventures with the Vincent streamliner.
