British Steam Car Breaks World’s Oldest Land Speed Record

The oldest-standing land speed record in the world has been broken. The British Steam Car took 10 years to develop and broke the record for the fastest steam-powered car, set up almost 100 years ago.

The previous record of 137 mph (204 km/h) was set by American Fred Marriott in 1906 driving a Stanley steamer at Daytona Beach. The new car, called simply the British Steam Car, is 7,6 metres long and weighs three tons. The body is made of composite materials built around a steel spaceframe chassis. The car, which has been called the “World’s Fastest Kettle,” relies on liquid petroleum gas to boil the water in the tanks, at a rate that Sky News says would make “23 cups of tea per second.” Principal driver, Charles Burnett III, who was educated in the US as well as South Africa, said after the successful runs at Edwards Air Force Base, California:

It was absolutely fantastic, I enjoyed every moment of it. We reached nearly 140mph on the first run. All systems worked perfectly, it was a really good run. The second run went even better and we clocked a speed in excess of 150 mph. The car really did handle beautifully. What we have achieved today is a true testament to British engineering, good teamwork and perseverance.

The British Steam Car takes four kilometres (almost two miles) to reach top speed, and after crossing the measured mile, takes another four kilometres to decelerate, making the full run over 10 kilometres (nearly five miles.) The team is staying in California to try break the 145,6 mph (233 km/h) speed achieved — unofficially — by the Steamin’Demon on the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1985. That attempt failed when the car caught alight and it was unable to complete its return run. The Federation Internationale d'Automobiles (FIA) rules say cars must run a measured distance in both directions to cancel unfair advantages, such as tail winds. The team also broke another record, this time a measured kilometre, at an average of 148,3 kilometres two. Driver Don Wales said:

What a great feeling, the car felt better than ever today. We peaked over 150mph and the car was handling beautifully. The team has worked so hard over the last 10 years, especially over the last few weeks! Having set two FIA world records is an amazing achievement and no-more than the team deserve after their perseverance.

The records must still be formally approved by the FIA. Photos of the car can be seen here.