Idris Elba Breaks Speed Record
Actor Idris Elba set a new land speed record in the United Kingdom. The record that he broke was in a speed test called the “Flying Mile.”
The rules for the “Flying Mile” are a little bit different than a regular speed test. Most speed tests are started while the participants are not moving at the start of it. In this test, racers are allowed to already have their car up to speed before the clock starts. The car is then timed over a distance of one mile and is run two times over the course of an hour in both directions.
Sir Malcolm Campbell held the previous record. Campbell was able to achieve a top speed of 174.2 mph. The vehicle he used at the time was a Napier-Campbell Blue Bird race car. This record stood for 88 years.
The car that Elba used to break the 88-year-old record was a Bentley Continental GT. Elba was able to reach a top speed of 186.4 mph. That is an increase of 12.2 mph. That does not seem like a huge difference, but the fact that it has taken 88 years for the speed record to fall tells you just how hard it is to increase maximum speeds in cars.
The Bentley Continental GT was not even at its top speed. Under perfect conditions, the top speed that the Bentley Continental GT can reach is 206 mph. That speed was not achieved during this record-breaking feat due to the fact that the speed test took place on a beach.
Elba was thrilled to have set a new speed record.
“I’m absolutely elated to have broken the ‘Flying Mile’ at Pendine Sands. It’s an honor to have taken on the challenge, and to successfully follow in the footsteps of the illustrious Sir Malcolm Campbell.”
On Twitter, Elba’s status is growing even larger. He is being compared to some of the United Kingdom’s most iconic roles.
I don’t see why Idris Elba couldn’t play both James Bond and Doctor Who.
— Erika Hall (@mulegirl) May 8, 2015
The best part of all of this is the fact that this record-breaking accomplishment was being filmed. Idris Elba will be starring in his own TV show. Coming in July to the Discovery Channel will be Idris Elba: No Limits.
Will this speed record be enough for you to tune in and watch Elba’s new TV show on Discovery? What are your thoughts on Idris Elba now?
[Image via James Cheadle/Discovery Communications]
