Wednesday 5th July 2000

The British land speed record was set at Elvington by the jet-propelled Vampire car,driven by Collin Fallows, who hit a speed of 300.3 mph. Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond did travel faster than this in September 2006 driving the same car. He reached a speed of 314 mph on his second of three laps that day, the third lap resulting in a crash that almost cost him his life. However, due to the rules requiring a second run to be taken in the opposite direction and the need for an official to be present, Hammond was not awarded the record.