Actor Idris Elba, known for his work on Luther and The Wire, has broken the ‘Flying Mile’ UK land speed record behind the wheel of the Bentley Continental GT Speed.
Elba piloted the GT Speed to a top speed of 180.361mph on the beaches of Pendine Sands, Wales, besting the old record of 174.8mph set by Sir Malcolm Campbell way back in 1927. The UK Timing Association was on hand to verify the record-setting run.
Elba piloted the GT Speed to a top speed of 180.361mph on the beaches of Pendine Sands, Wales, besting the old record of 174.8mph set by Sir Malcolm Campbell way back in 1927. The UK Timing Association was on hand to verify the record-setting run.
“I’m absolutely elated to have broken the ‘Flying Mile’ at Pendine Sands,” Elba said. “It’s an honor to have taken on the challenge, and to successfully follow in the footsteps of the illustrious Sir Malcolm Campbell.”
The record run was filmed for Elba’s Discovery Series series, Idris Elba: No Limits. The episode featuring the ‘Flying Mile’ will air in July.
Given better weather conditions and a little more “road,” Elba might have posted a much faster time; the Bentley Continental GT Speed and its 6L W12 are actually capable of hitting 206mph.
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