Biker seeks £500k to pursue speed record dream

A veteran biker is hoping to raise more than £500,000 to fund his attempt to set a new world land speed record.

Ron Holland, 60, of Dulwich, south London, wants to travel to America next year to break the current record, which stands at 360mph.

The money will be spent on testing the 30ft cigar-shaped bike which is being specially built for the attempt and transporting it to Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

Mr Holland, who writes self-help books, said his greatest worry is his wife finding out how much he has already spent on his dream.

He said: "I've been throwing money at it, and I'd be in all sorts of trouble if she ever found out exactly how much.

"I've been racing bikes on and off for over 40 years, mostly sprinting, but that will be like a trundle down to the shops compared to what I'll be doing in Bonneville."