FIA LAND SPEED RECORDS
The FIA Land Speed Records are the fastest recognised, official speeds achieved by any wheeled vehicles on land - not including motorcycles (there is separate specific category for this).
The record attempts are standardised over a fixed length course and averaged over two runs in opposite directions.
CATEGORIES
There are many different types of speed records which are divided into four main categories (A, B, C & D) and then several Group & Class sub-divisions within those categories.
More information on these categories is set out in Appendix B of the International Sporting Code. To view the information please click here:
Appendix B.
REGULATIONS
Land Speed Record Attempts are governed by regulations as set out in Appendix D of the International Sporting Code. To view these regulations please click here:
Appendix D.
LISTS OF RECORDS
Lists of Land Speed Records currently recognised by the FIA can be found here:
Lists of Records.
FORMS FOR RECORD ATTEMPTS
For each Record Attempt forms must be completed prior to and on completion of each attempt. To view the forms please click here:
Forms.
WORLD RECORDS
There are many World Records for different categories but the most famous is the World Land Speed Record - this is the outright fastest speed achieved by a land vehicle.
WORLD LAND SPEED RECORD
The current absolute holder of the World Land Speed Record is ThrustSSC, a twin turbofan jet-powered car which achieved 763.035 mph - 1227.985 km/h - over one mile in October 1997. This was the first supersonic record as it broke the sound barrier at Mach 1.016.
Other famous holders of the World Land Speed Record include:
• Thrust II driven by Richard Noble
- achieved a best speed of 633.468mph / 1019.47km/h in 1983
• Sprit of America driven by Craig Breedlove
- achieved a best speed of 600.601mph / 966.574km/h in 1965
• Blue Bird driven by Malcolm Campbell
- achieved a best speed of 301.129mph / 484.620km/h in 1935
• Golden Arrow driven by Henry Segrave
- achieved a best speed of 231.36mph / 327.34km/h in 1929
Records up to 1935 were predominately set on beaches before Bonneville Salt Flats in America became the preferred venue for attempts and was home of nearly all World Land Speed Records set between 1935 and 1970. The current World Record was set at Black Rock Desert, USA.