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ThrustSSC holds the current outright land speed record for a wheeled vehicle: Andy Green averaged 763.035 mph over a flying mile at Black Rock Desert on 15 October 1997. The available authoritative sources confirm several major record holders, but do not establish a complete, comparable top ten of distinct cars—so this guide separates recognized records from disputed claims and test speeds rather than presenting an unsupported ranking.
What counts as the land speed record?
The FIA describes its World Land Speed Records as the fastest recognized official speeds achieved by wheeled vehicles on land. Records are organized by vehicle and category under FIA rules; motorcycle records are handled separately by the FIM. A peak one-way speed or a test run is not automatically the FIA outright record.
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For the outright attempt, Guinness World Records describes the measurement as the average of two measured-mile runs completed within an hour. Comparing record figures also requires checking the measured distance: a one-kilometre mark and a one-mile mark are separate records, not interchangeable entries in one ranking.
Verified outright-record examples
The table lists selected documented records on a one-mile flying-start basis. It is not a complete FIA top ten: the sources consulted do not establish ten distinct cars with directly comparable, verified figures.
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| Car | Recorded speed | Driver and date | Record basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| ThrustSSC | 763.035 mph (1,227.985 km/h) | Andy Green, 15 October 1997 | FIA one-mile flying start; Black Rock Desert, Nevada |
| Thrust II | 633.468 mph (1,019.467 km/h) | Richard Noble, 4 October 1983 | FIA one-mile flying start |
| Blue Flame | 622.407 mph (1,001.667 km/h) | Gary Gabelich, 23 October 1970 | FIA one-mile flying start |
| Spirit of America Sonic 1 | 600.601 mph (966.574 km/h) | Craig Breedlove, 15 November 1965 | FIA one-mile flying start |
Sources: Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Category C record listings; Guinness World Records independently confirms the ThrustSSC figure and date.
Why ThrustSSC remains number one
On 15 October 1997, Andy Green drove ThrustSSC to a two-way average of 763.035 mph (1,227.985 km/h) at Black Rock Desert, Nevada. The FIA and Guinness World Records agree on the figure and date. Guinness identifies the achievement as the first land speed record to break the sound barrier.
The record was made by a jet-powered car, not a conventional wheel-driven production vehicle. The distinction matters: land speed record categories include different forms of propulsion, and a car’s one-way peak speed does not replace the recognized two-way record result.
Other notable claims and speeds
Some famous figures are meaningful context but should not be ranked alongside FIA one-mile records without qualification.
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- Spirit of America, 1963: The FIA’s history of Craig Breedlove says the car averaged 407.447 mph, but the FIA declined to recognize the run because it was propelled by pure thrust. The FIM accepted it under its motorcycle-and-sidecar rules.
- Bloodhound, 2019: Guinness reports a speed of 628 mph during testing at Hakskeen Pan. This was a test speed, not a new FIA outright record.
- Budweiser Rocket, 1979: A speed of 739.666 mph was claimed. Guinness says the claim was not officially sanctioned by the USAF because the digital radar was not calibrated or certified.
A brief history of record-breaking speeds
The verified one-mile records in the table show the progression from the 600-mph range to more than 760 mph. Each entry must be read with its date, distance and recognition basis; a famous speed alone does not establish where it belongs in an official ranking.
Spirit of America Sonic 1 set the FIA one-mile mark listed here in 1965. Blue Flame followed in 1970, then Thrust II in 1983. ThrustSSC set the current outright record in 1997. These examples span jet and rocket propulsion, but the figures in the table are comparable because each is identified as a one-mile flying-start record.
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For further historical context, the FIA archive links to a publication titled History of Automobile World Records.
How to compare land speed record figures
- Check the distance. Confirm whether the figure is for a flying mile or flying kilometre; different distances are separate records.
- Check recognition. Distinguish an FIA-homologated record from a record recognized under another authority’s rules, a test run or a disputed claim.
- Check the measurement. For the outright attempt, Guinness describes an average of two measured-mile runs completed within an hour. Do not substitute a single-pass peak for that average.
- Check the vehicle and category. The FIA organizes records by category, and motorcycle records are handled separately by the FIM.
- Check the date and venue. Keep those details with the speed so readers can identify the specific achievement.
FAQ
What is the fastest land speed record car?
ThrustSSC holds the current outright land speed record for a wheeled vehicle, with a two-way average of 763.035 mph (1,227.985 km/h) set on 15 October 1997.
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What car holds the land speed record?
ThrustSSC, driven by Andy Green at Black Rock Desert, Nevada. The FIA and Guinness World Records agree on its record figure and date.
How fast did ThrustSSC go?
Its recognized one-mile flying-start record was a two-way average of 763.035 mph (1,227.985 km/h). That average, rather than a one-way peak, is the outright record figure.
What are the fastest land speed record cars ever?
Among the documented FIA one-mile flying-start records in the sources consulted are ThrustSSC, Thrust II, Blue Flame and Spirit of America Sonic 1. Those sources do not establish a complete, comparable top ten of distinct cars.
Does Bloodhound hold the land speed record?
No. Guinness reports that Bloodhound reached 628 mph during testing in 2019. That test speed is not a new FIA outright record.
Why is the Budweiser Rocket figure disputed?
Guinness says its alleged 739.666-mph speed was not officially sanctioned by the USAF because the digital radar was not calibrated or certified.
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