British Steam Car unofficially breaks record

By Jack Rix

19th August 2009

The anticipation is reaching boiling-point! A British team, headed up by principle driver Charles Burnett III, is on the brink of smashing the world land speed record for a steam-powered vehicle - a record that has stood for over over a hundred years.

The current benchmark stands at 127mph, set by American Fred Marriot driving a Stanley steam car way back in 1906. And the British Steam Car Team are looking to go one better at Edward's Air Force Base in California.

Five test runs have now beeen carried out, using the average of two runs in opposite directions within 60 minutes of each other, at over 100mph. The last of which saw the team clock a two-way average of 137.14mph with its own equipment.

However, the record will only stand once FIA timing officials take their own readings on the 6-mile long lakebed. Keep you eye on autoexpress.co.uk to see if the team were successful in their record-breaking attempt.

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