It’s been almost 10 years since we last talked at length about the ACK Attack and its long-awaited speed record: reach the magical figure of 400 mph (644 km/h) on the largest salt plain on the planet. Now the Top 1 team returns to its old ways after several years of preparation. After their last attempt in 2023, they will do the same in this idyllic place with the sole objective of achieving their ambitious goal.
ACK Attack retains its record 16 years later
Just a few days ago, one of TOP 1 Oil’s social networks issued an exciting announcement that many people were surely waiting for: “The Top 1 ACK Attack heads to Bolivia this October, attempting to become the first motorcycle to officially break 644 km/h (400 mph). Rider Rocky Robinson set the current FIM land speed record of 606 km/h (376 mph) in 2010 – it still stands 16 years later.”
Once again the designer and owner Mike Akatiff Return with the same machine to chase the next milestone through the Uyuni Salt Flatsthe largest salt plain in the world. Akatiff himself commented when the news was announced: “We have spent more than 20 years developing the ACK Attack and have already proven that it is the fastest motorcycle in the world. In Uyuni, we finally have the distance and conditions necessary to test whether a motorcycle can officially surpass the 400 mph barrier.”
The machine to achieve it
To simply consider bringing such an idea to fruition, one can imagine the time, dedication and money that is required. In the case of the ACK Attack we are facing a beast of more than 6 meters in lengthand just a few centimeters above the ground, covered by a body made of carbon fiber and Kevlar. Inside, the pilot lies in a reinforced capsule designed to offer speed and safety.
“This position not only reduces exposure to wind, but also provides protection in the event of an accident, thanks to its integrated safety features”explain its creators. The heart of the beast is made up of two deeply modified turbocharged Suzuki Hayabusa engines. Pushing in unison they offer a power figure that It far exceeds the 1,000 HP barrier.
“Speed without control is useless”
Using Pirelli’s famous nineties slogan as our own, in order to explain the technical section of the ACK Attack, we are left with a phrase from the project’s ideologues that perfectly summarizes the magnitude of this engineering work: “Building a motorcycle capable of exceeding 350 mph (560 km/h) posed numerous technical challenges. Every aspect of the machine required innovation and meticulous attention to detail.”
Among the main aspects to be addressed in the development of such an artifact are, for example, stability. At almost 640 km/h, even the slightest aerodynamic disturbance can be fatal. ACK Attack equips stabilizing fins and also has precise weight distribution to maintain balance and control. Of course another key factor is traction; In this regard, the team comments:
“The Bonneville Salt Flats, where the TOP 1 ACK Attack broke records, feature a unique surface: hard and flat. Custom tires and precise throttle modulation are essential to prevent wheel spin and maintain forward momentum.”. Finally we have the most important pillar on which this technical marvel is based: security.
In this context, the closed cockpit is equipped with a roll cage, a fire extinguishing system and an oxygen supply for the pilot, which guarantees survival even if the worst were to happen… We will cross our fingers that this does not happen and the Top 1 ACK Attack team definitively breaks the record they have been seeking for more than two decades.
