Ishika Roy, Pune
Formula E racer Jake Hughes set an all-time record for indoor land-speed racing with a speed of 218.71 km/hr, hitting a benchmark at the Guinness World Records on Friday. The British star drove GENBETA, a modified version of the Gen3 racecar, at ExCel Centre in London. The previous record was set at 165.2 km/hr by US racer Leh Keen at the New Orleans Convention Centre in February 2021.
Jake, who drives for NEOM McLaren, performed three practice laps recording numbers 214.80 km/hr, 215.05 km/hr, and 217.65 km/hr respectively. The championship was held in a ‘Duels’ format on a 2.09 km (346 m) straight track, and Hughes was up against former Formula E champion Lucas Di Grassi who won his title during the 2016-17 Brazil tournament. Mahindra’s Di Grassi clocked 216.87 km/hr, 217.92 km/hr, and 218.18 km/hr at his practice runs.
Hughes claimed that he was “over the moon” with the final result. “I didn’t know if 218 was good or bad. Seeing all the numbers flash up every time, I was stressed,” he told Reuters. “I felt like I’ve never wanted anything more in my life than having a world record. It’s something I never thought I would have but it’s going straight on the CV,” he added.
A Guinness World Records representative kept a close eye on the participants and ensured their adherence to the key criteria- setting off from a static start and halting fully once inside the continuous building. The indoor track is exceptionally unique in world motorsport as it extends within and beyond the 100,000 sq/m arenas where the final races of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will take place this weekend.