Modified Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 breaks speed record

A modified Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 has smashed the speed record for its class at the annual Speed Week speed trials in South Australia.

Piloted by first-time salt racer, Charlie Hallam, the Interceptor 650 broke the four-year-old class record at the Lake Gairdner salt flats, setting the bar at 134.050mph (215.514km/h).

The Interceptor ran under the banner of Victorian Royal Enfield dealer Mid Life Cycles and was entered in the M-F 650 class, which accepts 650cc non-streamlined motorcycles running commercial unleaded fuel. The previous record for the class was set in 2016 at 119.961mph.

Hallam broke the record on Day 1 of Speed Week, with a first run of 121.782mph. He set his best run, however, on Day 3, reaching a top speed of 133.779mph for a record of 132.050mph.

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The bike was developed for competition by Andrew and Charlie Hallam and their respective companies, HRA Geelong, and Hallam Cycle Works.

While minimal modifications are allowed under the class rules, the team did modify the 2019 Interceptor 650 to meet specifications for entry into the event.

The Hallam team developed the engine using performance parts and ancillaries that are available for Mid Life Cycle customers to purchase for their own road-going Interceptors.

As well as significant engine modifications, the bike also featured Ohlins suspension, modified and lightened alloy wheels, Pirelli Diablo slicks, a custom swingarm lengthened by a class-maximum 130mm, and custom-made front and rear sprockets which increased the gear ratio by 40%.

Nicknamed ‘Sabre’, the salt racer was built in 2019 during the Royal Enfield Busted Knuckles Build-Off. It was due to take part in Speed Week in 2020 before COVID-19 saw the event cancelled.