Try mentioning new speed records in excess of 1000 km/h in any company - there are sure to be a few people who consider them unjustified risk. However, the constant increase in speed is the real engine of progress in automotive industry. Engineers are forced to develop new reliable components for record-breaking cars, as well as modify them in accordance with safety requirements. All technological advances obtained at the same time, sooner or later pass into the civil automotive industry. Therefore, the next world record is not an aimless risk, but a new impetus to development.
origins
Despite the absence of official figures, history will forever remember the name of Emile Levassor, one of the pioneers in automotive industry and brilliant inventor. On his own designed transport, he covered a considerable distance from Paris to Bordeaux and back, winning prestigious competitions. Unfortunately, no one bothered to measure the speed in that race, and the specific figure will forever remain a mystery. However, not only the record brought fame to Levassor, but also the unforgettable phrase that driving at a speed of over thirty km / h can be called real madness.
After that, only 3 years passed before the first official speed record on land transport- in 1898, the car of Count Chasselu-Loba showed a result of 63.15 km / h. It is curious that the car did not use the engine internal combustion- it was driven by a compact electric motor designed by Charles Janto. It took only one kilometer to achieve the record speed. It was from that time that the modern method of fixing records began to be applied - the car must overcome a given distance three times, and one race must be done in the opposite direction in order to eliminate the error caused by the effect of the wind.
It took only one year to overcome the milestone of 100 km / h by car. Camille Jenatzi used an original electric car, which he called "Forever Discontented". was only 40 Horse power, however, this was quite enough due to the streamlined shape of the hull and the ability of electric motors to reach the maximum torque for quite low revs. After that, almost everyone began to dream of their own world speed records.
pre-war time
Doubled the result of the Belgian professional racer Burman, who used petrol car produced by Benz. The maximum speed reached by him was 228 km / h. Of course, it was difficult to call this transport serial - it was subjected to many improvements both at the factory and before the race itself. However Benz received good advertising, which in just a couple of months seriously increased its sales.
The next significant bar was overcome by the Englishman Sigrev after the First World War - in 1927. Specially designed for the record, the Sunbeam was able to reach a speed of 327.9 km/h, making it unbeatable for the next 5 years. Yes, in these years the records were short-lived, because the technology was rapidly improving, the power of the motors grew, and the chassis required less and less effort to control it at high speed.
In 1932, the automobile enthusiast Malcolm Campbell became the record holder. He worked on the creation in collaboration with Napier, and was able to achieve speeds in excess of 400 km / h. Imagine a result that is considered almost unattainable for a modern production car, was shown over 80 years ago!
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However, Campbell's record was also destined to exist for 5 years. In 1937, when Europe had already met the first prerequisites for war, John Aiston was able to reach speeds in excess of 500 km / h, which for many years became the maximum for piston-engined vehicles. Helped him build a car Rolls-Royce company, who prepared a three-wheeled chassis and assembled a motor capable of accelerating it to incredible speed. Only 10 years later, John Cobb broke this record, reaching 600 km / h.
Jet engine time
Surprisingly, Cobb's speed record for a long time remained absolute, despite the rapid improvement of technology in the postwar period. The next result was shown only in 1970 - it belonged to the American stuntman Harry Gabelich. A vehicle called Blue Flame can hardly be called a car - it was rather a rocket more than 11 meters long, equipped with wheels and a cockpit for the pilot. Jet engines were able to disperse the Gabelich car to 1014 km / h, despite the mass exceeding 2 tons.
Interestingly, the speed of sound was first achieved by another American stuntman - Stan Barret, who used the Budweiser Rocket car. An interesting feature such a record transport was the simultaneous installation of a liquid and solid rocket engine on it. Barrett made a record run on the operating runway of a military airfield, showing a result of about 1300 km / h. However, the commission of the International Federation of Motor Sports refused to register the record, because the stuntman refused to drive in the opposite direction, and the radar used by the military did not have automatic system management.
Modernity
Due to the incomprehensible stubbornness of Barret, who refused to try again, maximum record speeds are now associated with the name of Andy Green, who is a pilot in the British Air Force. His result was 1227 km/h, and according to the operator of the measuring complex, in one of these races the speed exceeded 1231 km/h, but an average result was recorded. There is no need to talk about the Thrust SSC drive - traction of 110 thousand horsepower was provided by two turbofan motors of the Rolls-Royce Spey brand. The track was laid in the USA, in the Black Rock Desert, in the state of Nevada.
The team that built incredible car preparing for a new record. Currently, the active phase of work continues on the vehicle under the name Bloodhound SSC, which, according to the plan of the creators, should reach a speed of 1000 miles, or 1609 km / h. Its acceleration will be carried out in two stages - at the first stage the car will reach a speed of 1200 km / h thanks to a Eurojet jet engine borrowed from an English fighter, and then a hybrid will be launched. rocket engine. Interestingly, to drive pumps and electrical generators machine will use gasoline engine Jaguar V12 with 800 horsepower. Veteran car speed record Andy Green will sit at the helm.
If we talk about the records set on a production car, then the speed of 455 km / h is developed by the Ford BADD GT, which is produced in a small series. The power of the V8 engine reaches 1700 horsepower thanks to serious modifications by the tuning workshop. A production car is considered because it received official approval design department
Since the invention of the internal combustion engine, automobile and motorcycle speed records have gone almost toe to toe. At first, cars were ahead of motorcycles, for objective reasons - the motorcycle was invented for several years later car. And the problem of stabilization at high speeds is easier to deal with when there are four wheels, not two. However, as in the mentioned article about motorcycle world speed records, car records We will consider starting from a speed of 300 km. per hour, since it is in this area that the maximum speed modern mass-produced sports cars.
The very first speed record for a car was set back in the 19th century, and this record belonged to ... an electric car! In 1898, the French race car driver Gaston de Chasselou-Loba reached 63.5 km. per hour in Asher, France. Then, over the years, the site for setting speed records moved to the dried-up salt lake Bonneville, USA, Utah, and is still so.
However, with sites sufficient for acceleration and deceleration of the fastest cars in the world, not everything is so simple. In the first half of the 20th century, records were set in Great Britain, on an ordinary beach in Pendine. Then, in 1927 (!) when the speed exceeded the threshold of 300 km. per hour (!!), the length of the distance at which the speed is measured had to be reduced from one mile to one kilometer (!!!), and there was not enough space on the British Beach. The future champions had to move to Florida, to Daytona Beach. And soon to the Bonneville salt lake.
March 29, 1927. The world speed record for a car is 327.97 km per hour.
The record was set by Henry O'Neill Seagrave in a Sunbeam 1000. The 1,000 horsepower in this car was provided by two twelve-cylinder aircraft engines with a total displacement of 22.4 liters.
February 19, 1927. The world speed record for a car is 333.048 km. at one o'clock.
It is worth noting that until 1963, all speed records were set by the British. And, they are the same. This time the record was set by Malcolm Campbell in a Blue Bird car with a 23.9-liter aircraft engine from a Gloucester biplane.
April 22, 1928. The world speed record for a car is 334.007 km per hour.
It was first delivered by the American Ray Keach on an even crazier design, consisting of three 27-liter aviation twelve-cylinder V-engines called Triplex Special.
Tragedy is associated with this world speed record. The fact is that the first Triplex Special was still too “raw” for the world speed record, and Keech refused to drive.
Then Lee Bible was hired, a talented mechanic, however, who had no experience in driving a car at such speeds. While setting the record, Lee Bible's car went off the track into the dunes and overturned several times. Bible flew out of the car at 60 meters and died. Photographer Charles Traub also died in this incident.
Keach set the record already on the next car, modified after the accident.
March 11, 1929. The world speed record for a car is 372.459.
Again Henry Segrave, who, after setting this record, neither more nor less, was knighted!
Again, a W12 aircraft engine with a displacement of 23.9 liters was used, which produced 925 horsepower. In order to prevent the car from taking off at such a speed, the design of the front of the cockpit was copied from the Supermarine S.5 aircraft, and at the rear there was a 120 kg ballast. For that time, this car was also notable for the fact that it had brakes on all four wheels and a three-speed gearbox with two cardan shafts.
More than 120,000 spectators gathered on the beach in Daytona Beach to watch this record.
February 5, 1929. World speed record by car 396.025 km. at one o'clock.
Again, Malcolm Campbell, also knighted after breaking the 400 km/h speed mark. The record was set on the Blue Bird Car.
This car in its original version, like all the previous ones, had an aircraft engine with a working volume of 23.9 liters, which produced 1450 horsepower. Its further evolution consisted in replacing engines with more efficient ones. All engines were equipped with superchargers, and by 1935 the displacement had increased to 36.7 liters. In total, 5 world speed records were set on this car, and in a row.
September 3, 1935 - 484.598 km / h.- the first world record for cars set on Lake Bonneville.
November 19, 1937. World speed record by car 501.16 km. at one o'clock. August 27, 1938. World speed record by car 556.012 km. at one o'clock.
Both world records were set by George Aiston in a Thunderbolt car powered by two Rolls-Royce V-12 aircraft engines and three pairs of wheels.
This chthonic monster has held three world speed records, including September 16, 1938, when the speed of 575.314 km / h was reached.
September 15, 1938. World speed record by car 563.566 km. at one o'clock. August 23, 1939. World speed record by car 595.04 km. at one o'clock.
Just before the outbreak of World War II, three speed records were set by car, all three by John Cobb in the Railton Special.
This car looked exotic even for a streamlaner. Against the backdrop of the monstrous Thunderbolt, it stood out for its graceful forms, streamlining, and in general, in the first place, it looked like a flying saucer of aliens than a car.
The technical stuffing, however, has not changed much. Two aircraft engine W-12 Napier 23.9 liters each, with superchargers.
The last speed record set by Cobb on this car was 634.397 km / h, it happened on September 15, 1947 almost immediately after the war.
Until 1963, this record was held, because to overcome it, a fundamentally new approach to the design of record cars was required.
July 17, 1964 World speed record by car 644.96 km. at one o'clock.
In 1964 there was a technological breakthrough. The new world record was set for the first time in a car without classic engine internal combustion engine, and was delivered to Lake Eyre in South Australia by Briton Donald Campbell on a Bluebird-Proteus CN7 turboprop.
The classic idea of the power of cars, measured, in the layman's sense, in horsepower, no longer worked. The turbine gave a power of the order of 3,320 kW.
Since 1964, thanks to this car, all speed records have been divided into two parallel branches: cars with turbines (essentially rockets on wheels) and more or less classic designs, with reciprocating internal combustion engines.
August 5, 1963 The world speed record for a jet car is 655.722 km. at one o'clock.
As we can see, this world record was set by Craig Breedlove on the three-wheeled "Spirit Of America" a year earlier than the previous one. The fact is that Craig's car had only three wheels, and the FIA could not count the set record in 1963. Then, after solving the formal side of the issue, the record was still counted.
Like many other record-breaking cars, the Spirit of America set three world speed records and was significantly redesigned constructively from record to record. Already in its second performance, it had 4 wheels, not 3.
October 2, 1964 World speed record for a jet car 665.0 km. at one o'clock.
The record belongs to American Tom Green on the Wingfoot Express. It was a difficult record for real enthusiasts who managed to shine in a row of terribly expensive high-tech devices. The cost of the Wingfoot was only $78,000, while the already mentioned "Blue Bird" was $2,000,000.
October 5, 1964 World speed record for a jet car 698.50 km. at one o'clock.
It was staged by Art Arfons on the Green Monster.
In fact, the "Green Monster" was almost entirely red.
October 23, 1970 The world speed record for a jet car is 1014.656 km. at one o'clock.
This is the most interesting speed record. It was staged by the American Gary Gabelich on rocket car Blue Flames. It must be understood that all other record cars were airplanes on wheels, but not rockets. The Blue Fire has so far become the only record-breaking rocket car in history.
October 4, 1983 The world speed record for a jet car is 1020.406 km. at one o'clock.
Britain's Richard Noble's world record, starting with a budget of £175, set in a Thrust2 jet car.
This record-breaking car was built on the basis of a Rolls-Royce Avon turbine and would have been quite suitable for the role of the Batmobile.
The car was built around a single turbine, the cockpit was located not in the middle, but on the side, and this makes it similar to Art Arfons' "Green Monster".
This speed record was not broken until 1997, when another similar car of the same developers, Richard Noble and John Ackroyd, took the first place.
September 25, 1997. The world speed record for a jet car is 1149.055 km. at one o'clock. October 15, 1997. The world speed record for a jet car is 1223.657 km. at one o'clock.
Both world records were set by Britain's Andy Green in a Thrust SSC powered by two Rolls-Royce Spey turbines.
This world record has not yet been broken.
Always unhappy ) with an engine power of 40 hp. developed a speed of 105.876 km / h.Bluebird Electric speed records
Sir Malcolm Campbell broke the world speed record nine times various cars bluebird. On the sandy coast of Wales Pendine Sands, he set the following records:
- On September 25, 1924, Campbell set a record of 146.16 mph in a Sunbeam car.
- On July 21, 1925, he reached a speed of 242.79 km / h, breaking the line of 150 miles per hour.
In the future, Campbell abandoned Sunbeam cars and built cars of his own design.
- In early 1927, Campbell on Pendina Beach (Great Britain) raised the speed record to 281 km per hour.
A year later, Campbell went to the start with the new Blue Bird. There, in Daytona, he set a record of 333 km / h.
- In 1935, at Lake Bonneville, Utah, he reached a speed of 301.12 miles per hour or 484.620 km/h.
Campbell's latest record was set on Utah's famed Bonneville Salt Lake, discovering that the lake's salty surface was not only perfectly flat, but also provided excellent tire grip. Almost all subsequent speed records were set on Bonneville. After that, the already middle-aged Campbell (he was 49 years old) left the sport, however, in 1940 he broke the world water speed record. Campbell's record was 237 km/h.
- His son, Donald, continued the tradition and broke the 400 mph barrier in a Bluebird.
For the first time, Campbell took the new BluebirdCN7 car to the start in 1960 at Bonneville. And one of the races almost ended in disaster: the car flew into the air at full speed, rolled over and hit the ground. Contrary to expectations, the rider got off light scratches. Having completely rebuilt the Bluebird and attached a high keel to it for better exchange rate stability, Campbell took her to Australia, to the salt lake Eyre, deciding that the Bonneville track was no longer suitable for such speeds. As a result, Campbell managed to break the record only in 1964. It was 403 miles per hour (648 km/h). When designing the machine, Campbell had hoped for much more. But he must have been happy about that, especially since now he was officially listed as the fastest racer on the planet.
- Don Wales now holds the world speed record. He set two American national records and eight UK records. Wells, following Campbell, continued to set records, the first of which was the speed record for a car in 1998.
- In 2009, he set the current speed record for steam car 148 km/h
- In August 2011, Don Wells set a new record - he overcame the milestone of 500 km / h.
In total, 27 speed records were set on the Bluebird car, 9 of them using Castrol oil.
Notes
Links
- Land speed records at the International Automobile Federation website
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010 .
The desire to move rapidly, to overcome great distances in moments has always been characteristic of man. For this, probably, the first, primitive modes of transport were developed. Now the mechanisms that cause a smile have become powerful cars that could even reach the speed of light. And, interestingly, the speed record does not remain unchanged. The indicator is constantly changing, new car models are being developed. On this moment high-speed cars are those that cover 300 km per hour. But the designers are already preparing racers for the fact that the average rate of a high-speed car will be higher.
How are record cars determined?
There are certain rules according to which trips are carried out to set a speed record. During the experiment, representatives of the Guinness Book of Records must be present. According to their rules, the car must drive in one direction and the other so that the wind force does not affect the indicator, it will be the average of the two speeds.
But the list of fast cars are made by other appraisers, according to their methodology. For example, such criteria may be taken into account.
- For the experiment, we use stock cars which are intended for common trails. If tests are carried out only in this category, the assessment is objective.
- Among cars with the same record speed, the championship is given to the one that picks up this speed faster.
It is difficult to compile a single and accurate list of the fastest cars. After all, the champion can be determined among sports models, they have other indicators, different from machines for common roads. The list is compiled not only by representatives of the famous Book of Records, but also by specialized magazines for motorists.
The fastest cars
Bugatti Veyron Super Sport at the training ground in Era-Lessin, located in Germany, accelerated to 431 km / h. Representatives of the Guinness Book successfully confirmed the record, making it a goal for many. What helped the car achieve a record high?
- The manufacturer's craftsmen decided to install four larger turbochargers, as well as efficient charge air coolers.
- Another design difference is the presence of a 16-cylinder engine, which was able to develop a very high torque (1500 Nm).
- Specialists also worked on the design of the car, it acquired the most streamlined shape, carbon fiber is used for the production of the body.
The speed of 413 km / h is a model record SSC Ultimate Aero from Shelby SuperCars. This company is the creator of many luxurious, famous cars, because who has not heard of the Cobra or the chic Mustang model. Which distinctive features new record holder?
- The presence of a biturbine V8.
- The record is not only speed, but also indicators such as 1305 hp, the ability to pick up speed of 100 km per hour in just 2.8 seconds.
With the same speed, the luxurious, stylish sports car GT9-R, which is the fruit of the talent and skill of their tuning company 9ff, can sweep along the track. Dortmund professionals have created a car perfect in its own way. technical indicators and by design. But it, if desired by the buyer, the owner of the car, can be upgraded to suit specific needs, a specific driving style.
Koenigsegg Agera R is the result of the work of specialists from the Swedish Koenigsegg. The indicator of its record speed is 418 km / h. Interestingly, the car can even be used for a winter trip to the mountains, for this you only need to equip it with a trunk for winter sports equipment.
Initially McLaren had a speed of only 371.8 km/h. She was very high, but not a record. Over time, the car was able to improve its performance. The manufacturer, a British company, did not produce the model for a long time, from 1992 to 1998. Nevertheless, the car still occupies a worthy place among high-speed cars. What makes McLaren different?
- High speed and reliability.
- Unusual, unique cockpit layout. The driver has an excellent vantage point, as his seat is in the middle (in front of the passenger compartment).
Gorgeous, luxurious design distinguishes the Noble M600C. Among unique characteristics following.
- Very light weight, only 1200 kg.
- Great power, which provides a 4.4 liter V8, the presence of 650 forces (horsepower).
This car is not in the top five leaders in terms of speed, but it gets into the top ten fastest and closes it. On such a car, you can drive not only on special tracks, but also on ordinary highways, because for this it is not necessary to develop maximum speed.
Excellent car speed Pagani Huayra. The car was introduced back in 2011, but at the moment it specifications, power, strength, design are relevant. Manufacturers have limited the number of models produced, this number is only twenty samples. But, given the cost of the car (within a million dollars), such a production volume is sufficient. Technical features.
- 12-cylinder twin-turbo engine. Its manufacturers borrowed from Mercedes Benz.
- Has excellent speed in a straight line.
- Record speed of 370 km / h.
Record holder from Denmark - ST1 Zenvo. The machine is characterized by a 7-liter V8 engine. There is such a car, developing a speed of 375 km / h, 1.8 million dollars.
Some cars hold their place in the top ten fastest for years. We are talking about Saleen S7. One of the speed record holders was the car eight years ago. Since then, it is still powerful, impetuous, and in demand. She is interested in motorists who are able to appreciate the stylish design, elegant beauty, excellent technical characteristics. As the years go by, she seems to become even more attractive. What is the Saleen S7 hiding under its hood?
- Twin turbine engine.
- 750 horsepower.
- The engine is made of high strength aluminium.
One of the most anticipated cars has become Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4. Its speed may not be as record-breaking as other hypercars, only 350 km/h. But the car is luxurious, very dynamic, leaves no one indifferent. It can be attributed to excellent technical indicators.
- 700 horsepower.
- V12 engine.
And what about the list? speed cars can do without the luxurious Italian Ferrari Enzo. This is one of the most luxurious bright cars worldwide. It has a 12-cylinder petrol engine with a volume of 60 liters. The power of the machine is 660 horsepower. The Italian can develop a high speed, 350 km / h. And he catches up with such swiftness in just 3.6 seconds.
Much effort has gone into creating speed car and specialists from Gumpert, the result was the Apollo sports car. According to the developers, they gave the drivers a car that can drive along the inner surface of the tunnel. The only thing is, there is no confirmation of this yet. Some information about the car.
- Machine speed - up to 362 km / h.
- Installed 4.2 liter engine type V8.
- Power - 650 horsepower.
The company that produced this car, is currently experiencing better times its production has been suspended. But sports car enthusiasts need to hope that this situation is temporary.
New perspectives for lovers of speed
For some time, the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport was considered the speed record holder among cars. But after all, technology knows no limits to perfection, talented designers are always looking for opportunities to beat their own records. And one car is replaced by a car new brand. For now big hopes assigned to the car Hennessey Venom GT, honorary title of the most fast car belongs to him. Manufacturers plan to release three units of this brand, the price of each will be calculated in a million and a quarter dollars. To emphasize the country of the manufacturer, it is planned to use the colors of the American flag in the design of the car.
Specifications of the new record holder:
- Can reach speeds up to 434.3 km / h. This is confirmed by very reputable witnesses - representatives of the Guinness Book of Records.
- In 13.63 seconds, the car can accelerate to 300 km / h.
- The charged V8 twin-turbo engine is characterized by a volume of 7.0 liters, and its power is 1244 hp. With.
- To make light car capable of picking record speed, materials such as aluminum and carbon were used.
- The weight of the machine, thanks to such manufacturing materials, is only 1244 kg.
The car is assembled by hand, which increases its value, as well as reliability. The speed of the new luxury car listed in the popular book of records. But it will take a little time, and there will be a new record, about a new high-speed champion.
Interesting information for lovers of high-speed cars
- The first time the speed of the car was considered a record back in 1895. It happened at the Paris-Bordeaux-Paris race.
- He set his first electric car record in 1899. The speed was 63.14 km / h. This figure was the first recorded.
- It is hard to imagine, but even the speed of sound was overcome on a specially designed car. It happened in 1979, at an airbase in California. The car had two engines, one with a thrust of 9900, the second with a thrust of 2000 kgf. Unfortunately, certain rules were violated during the experiment, which did not allow the record to be registered. In order for the speed to get into the Guinness Book, it was necessary to make two races, in opposite directions. Some historians question the record due to the fact that the radar to establish indicators was aimed at the car manually.
- In 1997, the maximum speed was reached, for the record was used jet car. This speed was, even hard to imagine, 1226.5 km / h. The car was powered by turbojet engines from Rolls-Royce, of which a pair was installed.
- There are representatives of the weaker sex among the record holders - American Kitty Humbleton was able to accelerate her car to 843.32 km / h.
It is believed that the first speed record belongs to the French driver and designer Emile Levassor, who set it during the Paris-Bordeaux race. The whole world remembers his phrase, which served as the beginning of the desire for high speeds: “We gave out thirty kilometers per hour! It was real madness!” But in 1895 official rules the definition of record indicators has not yet been, therefore, formally, the French engineer was left without the status of a pioneer.
And he went to Count Gaston de Chasselus-Loba, who took care of registering his achievement. The car, developed by designer Charles Jeantot, accelerated to 63 km / h at a distance of 1 kilometer. The title of the record holder was decided to be taken by his eternal rival - professional race car driver Camille Zhenatzi, who accelerated to 66 km / h in just a few days. This is how the long-term confrontation began, during which the machines continued to improve and receive more and more improved power units, as well as aerodynamic bodies. In 1899, the Comte de Chasselus-Loba finally managed to significantly outrun the enemy, reaching 92.7 km / h - then such a speed was considered simply unattainable.
But just two months later, Camille Zhenatzi set the first landmark speed record by car - he overcame the line of 100 km / h, exceeding it by 5 kilometers. He owed much of his incredible success to a new vehicle - a car called "Forever Discontented", which was equipped with electric motors and had a streamlined body made of alloyed aluminum alloy.
Surprisingly, the next milestone was first overcome by steam transport, which has not yet been completely written off - in 1906, racer Fred Marriot in a Stanley car accelerated to 205 km / h. Internal combustion engines, then still very imperfect, could not reach such a record. But in 1909, a Blitzen Benz car driven by Victor Emery on the Brookland track in Great Britain showed a result of 202 km / h. Two more years later, Robert Burman set the next world speed record, using a car with an internal combustion engine - he reached a value of 228 km / h.
The next world speed record was set by Henry Seagrew, who used a Sunbeam "The Slug" 1000 hp car, equipped with two aircraft engines with a total power of 900 horsepower. On the Daytona Beach track in 1927, he accelerated to 327 km / h, which allowed him to simultaneously exceed the milestone in miles - 200 per hour. Interestingly, unlike the pre-existing prototypes, this car was not at all light - its total starting weight exceeded 4 tons!
Another famous racer, Malcolm Campbell, who had previously unsuccessfully tried to set the world speed record on the Blue Bird car equipped with a Napier engine, could not come to terms with the championship of Sigreva. In 1931, Campbell brought a new generation of his famous car, which had the name Campbell-Napier-Railton. During two races, he showed a speed of 396 km / h, just a little short of the next threshold. However, a year later, he returned with a slightly modified car, and reached a speed of 404 km / h, officially writing his name in history and receiving the title of knight.
However, internal combustion engines soon had to make room, giving way to more powerful jet turbines. But until this happened, the American John Ayston took advantage of the maximum available power of the internal combustion engine at that time, installing two Rolls-Royce aircraft engines with a capacity of 5000 horsepower on his car. In 1937, his record-breaking car reached a speed of 502 km / h, driving several times along the bottom of the dry Lake Bonneville. In 1939, this record was raised to 575 km / h, but Ayston refused further competition, and soon he was overtaken by the racer John Cobb, who showed the result first at 595 and then at 640 km / h.
After World War II, most riders switched to jet engines which seemed to them more promising. And indeed, on the same dry Lake Bonneville, the American Harry Gabelich in 1970 accelerated to a speed of 1014 km / h. Such a car, called the Blue Flame, was equipped with a single jet turbine, the thrust of which reached about 22 thousand horsepower. In 1979, it was claimed that stuntman Stanley Barrett had broken the speed of sound, but the rider did not want to make a second run according to the rules for setting records, and the army specialists involved in the measurements did not enter his achievement in the protocols.
To date, the maximum car speed record belongs to the Thrust SSC supersonic vehicle, which showed a result of 1228 km/h. The corresponding confirmation record was made in 1997, when the car entered the track in the Black Rock Desert of the USA. The car was equipped with two Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engines operating in afterburner mode - their total power reached 110 thousand horsepower. Especially for driving such an incredible vehicle, the pilot of the Royal Air Force of Great Britain Andy Green, who is the holder of the title of the fastest driver, was invited.
