Well it had to happen at some point...Looks like the Sledge maybe unseated.

[SurfnSun]

What’s the fastest production car available in the world today? While it’s tempting to spout one of the default answers (“Bugatti Veyron” or “Koenigsegg CCR”), those two are so very yesterday. Literally. That’s because earlier today, the folks over at Shelby Supercars (SSC) say their Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo reset the bar, bumping the record to 255.83 miles-per-hour.

According to the company, the 1183-horsepower American supercar made the top speed run on a closed two-lane stretch of Washington State public highway. The Ultimate Aero actually topped out at a staggering 257.11 mph, but the slightly slower return run of 254.55 mph (necessary to qualify for the title under Guinness World Records rules) dropped the average to the aforementioned 255.83. That’s nearly 12 mph faster than the official record (the Koenigsegg has been clocked at 242 mph), and even betters the Bugatti’s unofficial run of 253 mph.



Quote:
SSC is pleased to inform you that we successfully completed our speed record testing. Below is a portion from the full press release to be released shortly.

WEST RICHLAND, WA (SEPT 13, 2007) – Shelby Supercars (SSC), manufacturer of the ultra high-performance Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo, set the new “World’s Fastest Production Car” record earlier today with an average top speed of 255.83 mph. Confident of the 1183 hp vehicle’s abilities, SSC set out to validate their top speed claim in accordance with the strict guidelines set by Guinness World Records. Among other requirements, in order to meet Guinness’ approval, a vehicle testing for the top speed record must race down the course, turn around, and make a second pass in the opposite direction within one hour. The vehicle’s “top speed” is calculated by averaging the top speeds of each pass in order to negate any favorable road or weather conditions. Today, on a temporarily-closed 2 lane stretch of public highway in Washington State, the Ultimate Aero posted a top speed of 257.11 mph (413.83 kph) on its first pass and 254.55 mph (409.71 kph) on its return pass to set the new top speed record at a staggering 255.83 mph (411.76 kph). The data, collected by Dewetron’s world-renowned GPS tracking system, and other checks will be verified by Guinness before the Ultimate Aero is officially crowned the “World’s Fastest Production Car.” This breaks the current official record held by the Koenigsegg CCR at 242 mph by 11.83 mph and the Bugatti Veyron’s unofficial speed of 253 mph by 3.11 mph.

Best regards,

Junus
–
Junus Khan
Marketing Director
SSC Autos

 

[Aurora40]

Man, I hope that name is a work in progress! "Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo" sounds like something an 8 year old came up with.

 

[TurboLuigi]

You know..... Callaway held the record for nearly 20 years with the Sledgehammer.

I hope at some point when they can take a breather from building C16's (hmm... get mine out of the way first!), I hope that they look at retaking that title back!

Here is to 20 years of Callaway Corvettes, World Record Runs, World Class Racing, and "Powerfully Engineered Automobiles" from the little car company that could.... Callaway Cars!

-Luigi
:cool

 

[Brangeta]

I've never been a big fan of the SSC Aero, for two reasons:
1) looks too much like a Lamborghini Diablo, but the Diablo was better looking.
2) Shelby Supercars has zero to do with Carroll Shelby, and it really bothers me that the owner couldn't name the company something else that didn't already have a lot of history. ;squint:

But I think two things are good about this... at least the SSC Aero is better looking than that cockroach called the Bugatti Veyron and it's AMERICAN! :BOW

 

[Vanity Plate Bob]

Good styling and color.
Need picture with doors dropped.

 

[John H. Christensen]

You know the Sledgehamer could run faster than it did!

 

[SurfnSun]

You know the Sledgehamer could run faster than it did!

Perhaps we can persuade the owner to pull it out and let it run again

 

[C-4 Now]

Big John: I was thinking the same thing. If I remember right Sledgehammer ran the lowest HP of the motors they built for testing!! Besides Colorado is closer to those open road courses!! It's still my favorite car!!!

 

[Brangeta]

I doubt 'ole Sledge would even break a sweat against these newer cars. And I bet Sledge wouldn't drain its entire fuel tank making a top speed run like the Veyron does!

 

[Peer81]

I always think the record Sledge had on its name was a little shady. For a production car a "one off" is very poor to say the least. The Veyron maybe over the top and not even as fast as the Sledge but you can buy it! I never saw the Slegdehammer on the option-list.

Groeten Peter

 

[SurfnSun]

I always think the record Sledge had on its name was a little shady. For a production car a "one off" is very poor to say the least. The Veyron maybe over the top and not even as fast as the Sledge but you can buy it! I never saw the Slegdehammer on the option-list.

Groeten Peter

Callaway offered the Sledgehammer package to anyone that was will to pay the $400k price tag back in 1990. I don't believe it was ever called Production either...it was the fastest Street Legal car.

 

[C-4 Now]

I don't remember magazine article but it seems to me that shortly after setting the record Reeves was quoted as saying they would build the car for a $1,000 per MPH which would work out to a little over $250,000 for a copy of Sledgehammer that was probably a little rich for most in 1989 Actully the accomplishment almost seems more awesome today, in light of all the exotics we have then back then when performance was at a low point in general! :ugh

 

[kaijumax]

Also the Sledgehammer went 254 + w/ only 880 Horse power.
Turn up the boost!