Irish land speed record

BrianD3

A few years ago, I remember reading about some guy who had broken the official Irish land speed record. This term "land speed record" may evoke images of Thrust SSC blasting across the desert in America at 760 mph -the Irish version of this is a little more mundane IIRC yer man was driving a road legal Dauer (Porsche) 962 on an unopened stretch of Irish motorway - may have been the northern cross section of the M50 or possibly the M4 near maynooth. I think he reached a speed of around 170-180 mph which doesn't sound like a whole lot considering the Dauer 962 is claimed to be capable of 260 mph. Anyone remember the story or have any further details?

And in case anyone here doesn't know what a Porsche 962 is (shame on you!) here's a nice pic:

BrianD3

SouperComputer

IIRC it was either Peter Faulkner or Dermot O'Mahony (think thats his 1st name, was chairman of the rose of tralee a few years back) who held it

I think it was on the M7, before it was opened. Have a look at www.motorsportireland.com

bla

if it was the attempt on the moterway near maynooth it didnt break the speed limit, i remember someone trying alright before the moterway was opened but if my memory serves me right he never actualy broke the record. three days he attempted to break it. i was living approx 100m from the moterway at the time

BrianD3

Just thinking back, I think that the record attempt didn't happen on the M4. That road was opened around 1993 which I reckon is too far back. 1996 or 97 sounds more like it - which is the time the M50 Northern Cross opened.

I think the M50 is is a poorer road than the M4 for driving at very high speed due to shorter straights and more undulations. This could explain why the guy in the 962 may have hit "only" 180 mph and possibly failed to beat the existing record.

As regards the M4, I'm sure people have noticed the nice 3 mile straight just west of the Maynooth interchange. The bends leading onto and off the straight are gentle and could be taken at a good speed. Given perfect road and weather conditions and an ultra fast car (McLaren F1, Jag XJ220C, Dauer 962) 200+ mph would probably be achievable on the straight. I remember when Autocar tested the McLaren F1 it did 0-100 mph in 6 seconds and 100-200mph in 22 seconds. Beast!

BrianD3

jhegarty

http://www.mondello.ie/museum2.php?id=5

It was 176mph in 1990 anyway... not sure what it is now...

jelatron

It was Brendan O Mahoney, a barrister, he rented a car to do it between maynooth and kilcock on the N4. I used to work for him years ago, I saw it first hand.

Alanstrainor

jelatron wrote: »

It was Brendan O Mahoney, a barrister, he rented a car to do it between maynooth and kilcock on the N4. I used to work for him years ago, I saw it first hand.

Man...this thread is 7 years old!