The sound of race cars’ engines can bring excitement and thrill to many road bystanders, regardless of whether they are fascinated by them. It’s impossible to name all these cars with blazing speed, but it’s hard to forget those beyond average—the speediest ones!
Let’s explore some of the fastest race cars on the planet and the technology behind these cars.
The Quest for Speed
Automobile racing, or motor racing, is an enduring fascination practiced in many parts of the globe across different kinds of tracks, circuits, and roads.
Automobile racing started after the gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine was introduced in the 1880s. An 80-kilometer reliability test held in Paris to Rouen, France in 1894 was the inaugural competition for race cars. The fastest car to finish the reliability test was recorded at 16.4 km/h.
A year later, the first organized race car competition was held in America. It was an 87-kilometer race from Chicago-Evanston-Chicago. Many town-to-town races in the United States and Europe followed after the first organized competition.
In 1900, cars had an average speed of 80 km/hr, which was unimaginable in the previous years. From this milestone, circuit tracks were built to host racing competitions, making races safer and more exclusive to spectators. The first track constructed by men was the 4.45-kilometer loop at Brooklands in Surrey, England, in 1906.
Future of Speed: Electric Racing
Fuel-powered vehicles currently dominate the racing industry. But moving forward, electric racing is also gaining traction on the tracks. Many electric-powered vehicles are engineered, and some are already joining racing events.
The rise of electric-powered vehicles is prompted by the growing concern of humans for the environment. While high-performance electric vehicles have price tags with astronomical figures, securing a car with no job or any verifiable income source can be particularly rigorous.
Fortunately, various financing options, like secured loans online, are available that consider other heavy factors besides a steady income source and financial stability to make the acquisition possible.
With these sustainable vehicles pledging to exponentially decrease the carbon footprint the human population regularly produces, many upcoming generations would greatly benefit from it.
Speed Demons: Drag Racing
First held in the 1940s, drag racing has become one of the most exciting sports events for those seeking an elevated level of thrill in a short period.
The most common distance for drag racing is ¼ mile. Major drag racing events in America were regulated by The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) was the region’s second-largest organization for drag racing.
Formula One: The Pinnacle of Speed
Formula One, or F1, is the highest grade of car racing at the international level. On May 30, 1950, the first F1 was held as the World Drivers’ Championship at Silverstone in the United Kingdom. It became more popular as the FIA Formula One World Championship in 1981.
Formula One cars are open-wheel single-seater cars with distinguishable front and rear wings. These cars are the official vehicles racing in Formula One racing events. The short-stroke engines of Formula One cars are positioned behind the drivers and can reach a top speed of 240 mph.
The latest Formula 1 car can accelerate 60 mph in less than two seconds. Additionally, Formula One cars have aerodynamic looks and powerful engines.
The Land Speed Record Holders
With millions of cars produced every year, only a few of these vehicles would go down in history. These cars could be the most expensive or land-speed record holders. To know more about them, follow the list we have prepared below.
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Thrust SSC
On October 15, 1997, British RAF pilot Andy Green rode the Thrust SSC in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA. Green set a new Land Speed Record in the vehicle, with 763.035 mph record-breaking speed.
On September 25 of the same year, Green beat the existing record he had set, still in the Thrust SSC. He set a record-breaking speed of 714.144 km/h record-breaking that day.
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Thrust 2
Richard Noble drove Thrust 2 on October 4, 1982, at the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, recording a speed of 633.468 mph.
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The Blue Flame
Gary Gabelich rode The Blue Flame to a new World Land Speed Record at Bonneville Salt Flats, with 622.407 mph official speed.
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S of A Sonic 1
Craig Breedlove’s second Land Speed Record car, the Spirit of America Sonic 1, set a record-breaking speed of 600.601 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats on November 15, 1965.
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Green Monster
Ridden by American driver Art Arfons, Green Monster set a record-breaking speed of 576.553 mph on November 7, 1965, at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Conclusion
The enduring fascination for thrilling motorsports has grown in recent years. It can be seen through many organizing groups regulating racing events in different countries. With automotive engineers vowing to produce vehicles with better aerodynamics and hybrid powertrains that push the speed limits in motorsport, race cars would draw more patrons and racing enthusiasts.