the fastest car 100 years ago

A century ago, exactly on November 9, 1909, car powered 200hp Benz became the first car through the speed limit 200km/jam painted by Victor Hemery. The car named 'Lightning Benz' has recorded its history in the concrete track at Brooklands, England.

After about 800 meters from the start point, Hemery recorded an average speed of 205.666 km / h and 202.648 km / h as far as the next 1km. To reach 1km distance, Hemery took 31.326 seconds and toppled the previous record held by Darracq car.

Lightning Benz became an international attraction as he continued to print a new record. On April 23, 1911, Bob Burman bring this vehicle to Daytona Beach, United States and recorded an average speed of 228.1 km / hour. A new record for speed on land was the invincible until 1919.

This vehicle is specially designed for speed record-breaking attempt. For this purpose, Benz uses the giant engine capacity of 21.5 liters (21.500cc) that makes this vehicle has an unparalleled power.

Brooklands

Brooklands is considered as the mother of all race tracks for cars and motorcycles and is the first circuit built exclusively for racing purposes motor vehicles. Made record-breaking efforts in this circuit since 1907 until 1939. In addition, Brooklands is the birthplace of British aviation industry that grew around it.

We have the remnants of the track and ensure the Brooklands museum site in his memory alive. The site is finally managed by Daimler AG as the parent of the brand Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart.

Victor Hemery

Victor Hemery is one of the most successful racer in the early years of Grand Prix racing before the outbreak of World War I. The man who was born in Brest, France on 18 November 1876 was trained as a mechanic and worked at Leon Bollee from 1895 until 1900 before moving to head the Darracq as part of testing and racing began in 1900 until 1906.

Hemery joined in 1907 in Benz & Cie. as a driver and in 1908 he was escorted Benz on race victory in St Petersburg, Moscow and finishing second at the French Grand Prix at the back with Christian Lautenschlager and his Mercedes in front of the Hanriot Rene Benz also uses.

Ironically, Victor Hemery died not in the car or at the race track, but committed suicide on September 8, 1950 at the age of 74. He lived the rest live in poor conditions at Le Mans, France.