Belly tankers, streamliners and old hot rods aren’t the only vehicles capable of going land speed racing.
Sure, a Honda Insight might be a rare sight in land speed racing, but that doesn’t mean one can’t hold its own. This particular Honda Insight driven by Brian Gillespie had already set a record at El Mirage dry lake bed going 179 mph to claim the high water mark in the G/BGMS class (blown gas modified sports). Thanks to a Rotrex Supercharger providing pressurized air and fuel, the tiny K20A2 four banger (two liters in stock configuration) makes 500 horsepower. At least it was making 500 horsepower until this happened.
We can’t imagine the Insight has the best aerodynamics for land speed racing, but slides like this happen with all body styles. Thanfully, Gillespie had only minor injuries as a result of this crash and should heal up fine thanks to a well-built roll cage. To bad the same can’t be said for his car. The Hasport team estimates Gillespie had the Honda somewhere between 180 and 190 miles per hour when he lost control.
And just in case you think a Honda Insight has no business land speed racing, check out this video from its record run just five months earlier.
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