Hennessey Performance customized Ford GT twin-turbo has set the standing mile world record of 257.7 mph (414 kmph). A remarkable end to the weekend full of speeds and thrills at Texas Mile high speed event.
Behind the wheels was driver Sean Kennedy in the Hennessey Performance customized Ford GT, owned by Mark Heidaker. After the kick-off of the event on Friday at Chase Field Industrial Complex, the driver managed to bag in 216 mph and 228 mph. However, towards the end of day one, Kennedy managed to get 0.6 seconds faster than the 230 mph barrier.
Day two, on Saturday, the team managed to make it in for the previous world record at 250.1 mph in the second run. The team needed more favorable conditions to utilize the thrust of the turbocharged engine and decided to wait for the third and final day. On the final day of the event, the efforts paid off when the driver broke the world record with a ground shattering speed of 257.7 mph. The car managed to cross 204 mph at half mile distance and Kennedy was sure that he could nail it. Moreover, the enthusiastic driver also claimed that he could do faster if he had utilized more power in lower gears.
Under the hood of the uptuned Ford GT is a 5.4-litre Accufab Racing octane burning engine. MoTec tuner and racing consultant, Shane T calibrated the engine management system and power management system. Hennessey Performance Engineering chief, Kevin Kesterson was responsible for the installation, fabrication duties and engineering. What was initially a twin-turbocharged and supercharged engine was later modified for extracting more thrust. Hennessey did away with the supercharger of the Ford GT and went with a more efficient twin-turbocharger.
Just for the record, Bugatti Veyron Super Sport has set a world record for fastest production car with 431.072 kmph at the Volkswagen Group’s private Ehra-Lessien test track, which includes a 5 km straight stretch. In comparison, the customized Ford GT managed to hit 414 kmph in one mile of raw thrust. With the next event planned in October, the team is confident to shatter all records with 260 mph (418 kmph).
