Motoring
Check under the hood of 10 land speed record cars
Take a trip through 100 years of land speed record attempts with the 10 most iconic land speed cars.
The fastest animal on the planet is the cheetah, clocking in at 96.6 kph (60.0mph). In a man v cheetah sprint, not even the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, would come close, clocking in at 37.58kph (23.35mph). Luckily, we humans have our powerful brains and have used them to outwit the cheetah by building really fast cars to help us in our quest to become the fastest creatures on the planet – hence the expression: "Cheetahs never prosper."
The current land speed record broke the speed of sound, going more than 1,000kph. Now, the holders Andy Green, and Richard Noble, who has been leading the way in LSR attempts since the early 80s, believe they have the keys to the first car to smash the 1,000mph (1,600kph) barrier.
So lets look back at 10 of the most extraordinary land speed record vehicles to make sporting history.
Jeantaud: the first record
Jeantaud: the first record
© Science Museum/Gettyimages
Who? Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat
Where? France
When? 1898
The Jeantaud was a French automobile manufactured in Paris between 1893 and 1906. Its creator was Charles Jeantaud, a body builder who made his first electric car in 1881. Among the cars built by him, there was one which established the first land speed record (39.24mph/63.15kph), driven by Gaston Chasseloup-Laubat.
Gobron-Brillié: faster than 100mph!
Gobron-Brillié: faster than 100 mph!
© Science Museum/Gettyimages
Who? Louis Rigolly
Where? Châtillon-sur-Seine (France)
When? 1904
In early 1898, the French engineer Eugène Brillié and businessman Gustave Gobron founded the Societe des Moteurs Gobron-Brillié, a company which until 1930 manufactured the Gobron-Brillié, a car famous for being the first to go beyond the psychological barrier of 100mph (161kph); 103.56mph to be exact.
Stanley Rocket: next level
Stanley Rocket: next level
© Universal History Archive/Gettyimages
Who? Fred Marriott
Where? Daytona Beach Road Course (USA)
When? 1906
Fred Marriott was an American racing driver who, in 1906 with a Stanley Rocket, set the world land speed record at 127.659mph (205.5kph) on the Daytona Beach Road Course. He tried to break his record again in 1907 with an improved version of the car, but hit a pothole and the car broke in mid-air.
1000HP Sunbeam: here we go
1000HP Sunbeam: here we go
© Fox Photos/Gettyimages
Who? Henry Segrave
Where? Daytona Beach (USA)
When? 1927
The Sunbeam 1000HP, popularly known as 'The Slug', was built by the Sunbeam company in Wolverhampton, England. Its greatest feature was that it was powered by two jet engines. It was the first car to go over 200mph (322kph) and was also the first non-American car to race in Daytona Beach.
Blue Bird: making possible the impossible
Blue Bird: making possible the impossible
© Central Press/Gettyimages
Who? Malcolm Campbell
Where? Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah (USA)
When? 1935
The 'Blue Bird' simply smashed any previously registered mark. Sir Malcolm Campbell, a speed junkie, got the record at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, on September 3, 1935. He was the first person to drive a car at a speed over 300mph, (301,337mph/484,955kph average speed of two rounds).
BlueBird CN7: a family tradition
BlueBird CN7: a family tradition
© Central Press/Gettyimages
Who? Donald Campbell
Why? Lake Eyre (Australia)
When? 1964
Donald Campbell, Malcolm's son, continued the family tradition breaking new speed records. At the wheel of an improved evolution of the Blue Bird, the Proteus CN7, he set a new record of 403.10mph (645kph). However, Donald was disappointed because the car had been designed to reach 500mph.
Spirit of America: supersonic
Spirit of America: supersonic
© Heritage Images/Gettyimages
Who? Craig Breedlove
Where? Bonneville Salt Flats (USA)
When? 1964
It was the first time that a land vehicle reached the speed of sound. To achieve this, Craig Breedlove built a device powered by a General Electric engine with 15,000 horsepower. On November 2, 1965 the American pilot made history after reaching 608.2mph (1014 kph).
Blue Flame: a rocket
Blue Flame: a rocket
© Heritage Images/Gettyimages
Who? Gary Gabelich
Where? Bonneville Salt Flats (USA)
When? 1970
The 'Blue Flame' was built in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Reaction Dynamics. A company formed by Pete Farnsworth, Ray Dausman and Dick Keller, which had developed the first rocket dragster propelled by hydrogen peroxide, liquefied natural gas and pressurised with helium gas. The result? A ground missile at 630.3mph.
Thrust2: the limit?
Thrust2: the limit?
© Ray Moreton/Gettyimages
Who? Richard Noble
Where? Desert Rock in Nevada (USA)
When? 1983
This jet-propelled car was designed by John Ackroyd and was powered by a single Rolls-Royce Avon jet engine. On October 4, 1983 the car reached a top speed of 650.88mph (1.019,468kph). In 1997 the Thrust SSC broke this record.
Thrust SSC: the speed of sound
Thrust SSC: the speed of sound
© David Madison/Gettyimages
Who? Andy Green
Where? Black Rock, Nevada (USA)
When? 1997
The SSC (SuperSonic Car) is a blend of automobile and fighter aircraft. It was powered by two afterburning Rolls-Royce Spey 202, as used in the F-4 Phantom, the plane which preceded the F-15. The twin engines had a power output of 110,000 bhp. This beast was the first land vehicle to exceed the speed of sound.