Stunter Jonny sets new world record for fastest motorbike handlebar wheelie at Elvington

Jonny Davies - known as “Stunter Jonny” - from County Durham clocked up an eye-popping 109.228 mph on a Suzuki GSX-R1000 doing the dangerous-looking stunt which involves sitting on the handlebars while doing a wheelie.

The British and Scottish stunt champion, who has been stunt riding for five years, beat the previous record of 108mph set by Irish man Enda Wright in 2006.

It came as the creator of the world’s fastest shed claimed a new record for the fastest time on a motorised wheelbarrow.

Kevin Nicks recorded 44.632 mph during the Straightliners event, the first to have been held since lockdown began.

The 55-year-old contract gardener from Chipping Norton built the “Barrow of Speed” during the coronarvirus lockdown, using a donated moped and bits and pieces he had lying round.

He said he did it on a zero budget because for many money was tight and wanted to inspire people to keep busy and active during lockdown.

"It's the most bizarre thing ever to ride - the handles of the wheelbarrow move in all directions," he said.

"Every journey on it is not just going fast in a straight line, you're trying to avoid crashing, which is great! The adrenaline rush is unbelievable.

Mr Nicks' record is yet to be verified by Guinness World Records, who set him a base speed to beat of 42.5mph, but Straightliners are experts in land speed records and confirmed his speed. He aims to ride the Barrow of Speed again in six weeks time for Guinness World Records, where he believes it can go faster still.

He said: “I can’t change the world but what I can do is try to make it better for some people,” he said.

“For me, it’s rewarding to see the smiles on people’s faces.”

The event saw 20 “speed heads” try to smash top speed records on top of conventional and unconventional motors.

The former RAF airfield, which operated from the beginning of the Second World War until 1992, is where Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond was seriously injured driving at 288 mph in 2006 and Guy Martin last year set the world record for the fastest tractor.