Speed and Reliability are words already associated with Barrington Freight and we intend to prove that via our upcoming Guinness World Record Event.
On Monday 13th of May, Barrington Freight Managing Director, Matt Everard, (46) and his cousin Russell Shearman, (49), will be completing a world record attempt as driver and passenger and plan to exceed the current record on a tuk tuk of 68mph at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire.
Popular for tourist taxi rides in Thailand and other Asian countries, this particular three-wheeled machine has benefited from a recent full restoration. The original two stroke 350cc engine has been replaced with a modern 1300cc fuel-injected Daihatsu motor capable of taking the intrepid Essex cousins to speeds in excess of 90mph. Sponsored by Barrington Freight, the vehicle has been subject to a five month, £20,000 rebuild, including wide rear wheels, twin cooling radiators and many original tuk tuk parts imported from Thailand.
Manufactured in 1971 as a Bangkok Taxi, the unusual vehicle, affectionately known as the “Barrington Freight Bomber” has been owned by Matt since 2017, when a late night eBay purchase led him to become the fifth UK owner of the vehicle since 1992. Now a common sight in Matt’s home town of Billericay, the brightly coloured vehicle gets lots of attention as he drives it around. Also known as an Auto Rickshaw, the name “Tuk Tuk” originates from the sound that the earliest models make. “The original engine made an unforgettable “tuk tuk tuk tuk tuk” sound and left a smoke trail smelling of two stroke fuel.” said Matt. He continued, “the original engine sound was so loud and distinctive that my wife said that she could hear me arriving home before she could see me”.
The Essex cousins have partnered with the motor sport event company Straightliners Ltd of Yorkshire who have officiated and provided the venue for many world record attempts on motorbikes and other unusual vehicles like “The World’s Fastest Shed” and “The World’s Fastest Toilet.”. As a second event, Matt has also challenged Kevin Nicks the owner of The Fastest Shed to a drag race at the same venue later in the year.
“I am very excited at the prospect of being a World Record holder. I have been a big fan of the concept since my childhood watching the BBC TV Show “Record Breakers” with Roy Castle and Norris McWhirter as hosts.” admits Matt.
As well as satisfying their “need for speed”Matt and Russell have raised a staggering £5837.54 for Havens Hospices during the course of the event
To follow progress and to see photographs of the tuk tuk, please visit www.instagram.com/fastest_tuktuk or LIKE our Facebook page facebook.com/FastestTukTukInTheWorld
