British Steam Car Challenge team breaks oldest land speed record

It took longer than anyone would have liked but it nevertheless is still a case of ‘better late than never’.

The British Steam Car Challenge team has finally achieved its goal of becoming the fastest steam-powered streamliner in the world. Driven by Charles Burnett III, the streamliner clocked in an official two-way average of 139.843 miles per hour, besting the previous average speed of 127 miles per hour, which was set by Fred Marriot on board a Stanley Steamer back in 1906. If you’re doing your math, that record has stood for 103 years! No wonder the folks at the British Steam Car Challenge were so hell bent on besting that time.

Burnett III drove the vehicle twice, posting times of 136.103 for the first run and 151.085 mph for the second run. Overseeing the whole record-breaking milestone was, of course, the FIA, which will officially hand the record over to its new owners after having not touched the previous mark for well over a century.

Continued after the jump.