Land speed records are synonymous to those who are an the fastest speed on a wheeled vehicle to reach a destination. It would be a motorcycle, a car; even a jet powered vehicle is eligible. The truth is told, in setting speed records, “cars” are non-existent. Land speed records remain the ultimate test of human courage, engineering brilliance, and the relentless pursuit of speed. Unlike production cars, land-speed vehicles are purpose-built machines designed solely to travel faster than anything else on wheels. Governed by organizations such as the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), strict rules apply: a vehicle must complete two runs in opposite directions within a fixed time window to qualify.
No: 01 Thrust SSC – Great Britain (763 mph)Former British Royal Air Force pilot Andy Green set the fastest speed recorded in October 15, 1997 at Black Rock Desert, Nevada. In 763 mph, Green is the first to reach supersonic speed on Earth. The ThrustSSC mixed the know-how of 4 British colleagues, Glynne Bowsher, Ron Ayers, Jeremy Bliss and Richard Noble, himself a record holder. They used a gas turbine engine (turbofan) from Rolls Royce, the recognized leader in aircraft engineering.
No: 02 Bloodhound LSR – United Kingdom (1,000+ mph, 2025–2026)Bloodhound LSR is the most ambitious land speed project of the modern era and the spiritual successor to Thrust SSC. Designed to exceed 1,000 mph, this British-built machine aims to push well beyond Mach 1 and into uncharted territory. The car combines a Eurojet EJ200 fighter jet engine, a hybrid rocket system, and a high-performance auxiliary engine, all integrated into a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis.
No: 03 Aussie Invader 5R – Australia (Target: 1,000 mph, 2025–2026) Australia’s answer to the land speed challenge is the Aussie Invader 5R, a rocket-powered vehicle engineered to challenge the 1,000-mph barrier. Developed by a dedicated team of Australian engineers, the Invader 5R uses a hybrid rocket propulsion system and advanced aerodynamic design to achieve extreme stability at unprecedented speeds.
No: 04 North American Eagle – United States (Projected 700+ mph) Built from a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter jet, the North American Eagle represents America’s modern land-speed ambitions.Though a fatal accident in 2019 halted progress temporarily, redevelopment efforts continue. If successful, it could challenge sub-sonic and near-supersonic marks in the mid-700 mph range.
No: 05 Spirit of America Formula Shell LSRV – United States (600 mph) Driven by Craig Breedlove, this jet-powered vehicle dominated the 1960s speed wars.In 1965, Breedlove became the first person to exceed 600 mph on land, setting the stage for modern supersonic ambitions.
No: 06 Blue Flame – United States (630 mph) A hydrogen-peroxide and LNG-powered rocket car, the Blue Flame stunned the world in 1970 at Bonneville Salt Flats.Driven by Gary Gabelich, it briefly held the land speed record and remains one of the most innovative rocket cars ever built.
No: 07 Thunderbolt – United Kingdom (345 mph)Using two Rolls Royce R-Type V12 aero engines to drive this vehicle, Captain George Eyston set the record for 25 years. Registration was set on August 28, 1938 at the Bonneville Salt Flats; one year later 2 world war thus began the reason of calm between the records.
No: 08 Campbell-Railton Blue Bird – United Kingdom (301 mph)With the Brits move restrictions Blue Bird was driven by 2300 km 36.7 liter supercharged Rolls Royce, V12 engine in setting the record at the time. Sett
No: 09 Green Monster – United States (576 mph) Built by Art Arfons, the Green Monster series used surplus jet engines and raw ingenuity.Though its reign was short-lived, it symbolized the wild, experimental era of land speed racing.
No: 10 White Triplex Spirit of Elkdom – United States (207 mph)Using the freedom of the three engines from the previous war, aero, Ray Keech, is an American record in the land speed record which was won by British once. It was in the second run later in the same vehicle, Lee Bible, a man died in his second test.
