Gary Rothwell nails 209mph wheelie

Gary Rothwell set yet another world record recently when he nabbed the world’s fastest wheelie at a frankly astounding 209.822mph.

Measured over a flying kilometer at Elvington in Yorkshire, the UK Timing Association recorded Rothwell’s speed as an average between the two runs of 209.8mph at the Straightliners event.

The likeable Liverpudlian beat the previous record by more than 10mph, and very nearly nailed a 210 record, but a sudden gust of wind robbed him of a clear run. “Just by the finish line I got a decent little side wind and put it down,” said Rothwell. “It doesn’t look much on the video but when your front wheel goes sideways at 200mph it’s a poo in the pants moment for sure. Not literally, thankfully.”

In order to qualify as a clean run, the front wheel has to be off the ground for a full measured kilometer, which is no mean feat even if you do have a 540bhp Holeshot Racing turbocharged Suzuki Hayabusa.

(Images: Andy Menzies/Steve McDonald – Straightliners)