It was perhaps inevitable that once the automobile had been invented, there would be the challenge of “how fast will it go”. To answer this question, in 1898 & 1899, Count Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat from France and Belgian Camille Jenatzy pitched their two vehicles against each other at Achères near Paris. At first there was no official recording or recognition of these early achievements in speed, but in 1902 the Automobile Club de France became the first regulators of each attempt.
In 1924, the Association Internationale des Automobiles Clubs Reconnus (which later became the FIA) established new regulations. There were to be two runs in opposite directions over a mile, with a time allowed between each attempt of 30 minutes which was later increased to one hour. Vehicles were wheel-driven at first, but in the 1960’s attempts made by jet and then by rocket propulsion were also allowed.
For the decades that have followed the earliest attempts, many very courageous drivers on both sides of the Atlantic have succeeded in claiming the unofficial title of “The Fastest Man on Earth”. And from 39mph in 1898, one hundred years later Andy Green’s Thrust SSC achieved 763mph and in doing so, he became the first person to break the sound barrier on land.
If you are interested in speed record attempts on land, sea and in the air, why not join the Speed Record Club. Information can be found at http://www.speedrecordclub.com