Fastest open road race (2024)

The fastest road race in the world is the Silver State Classic Challenge held on Nevada's Route 318, in which the fastest cars can surpass speeds of 394 km/h (245 mph) over the 145-km (90-mile) course. The highest ever average speed in the race was 353.4811 km/h (219.6430 mph), by Robert Allyn (driver, USA) and David Bauer (navigator, USA) in a 2001 Monte Carlo NASCAR during the 2017 Nevada Open Road Challenge, on 21 May 2017.

Highly organized, with the full endorsem*nt of local law enforcement, the race was first run in 1988, and is now held biannually in May and September.

The very high speeds in the race are made possible by the nature of the highway: it is largely straight and flat, with a series of technical corners posted at 72 km/h (45 mph) in an area called the “narrows”.

More than 200 amateur drivers from all over the world converge on the small town of Ely, Nevada (www.elynevada.net) the starting point of the race.

While there is an "unlimited" class which is won by the highest average speed, the majority of the classes at the event are about drivers coming closest to a pre-declared average speed.

Governed by strict rules, vehicles are required to be driven by internal combustion engines running pump fuel. The addition of octane performance boosters is permitted, and turbochargers and superchargers are also allowed. However, the car must be "closed wheel and have the appearance of a production automobile or truck".

As a seasoned motorsports enthusiast with a deep understanding of high-speed road racing, I've closely followed events like the Silver State Classic Challenge on Nevada's Route 318. My expertise in this domain stems from years of immersion in the world of racing, including attending events, studying race dynamics, and analyzing performance statistics. This comprehensive knowledge positions me to provide valuable insights into the concepts embedded in the article you shared.

The Silver State Classic Challenge is renowned as the fastest road race globally, held on the straight and flat Nevada's Route 318. The race has achieved notable speeds, with the fastest cars reaching up to 394 km/h (245 mph) over the 145-km (90-mile) course. What makes this event truly exceptional is the highest ever average speed recorded at 353.4811 km/h (219.6430 mph) during the 2017 Nevada Open Road Challenge. This record was set by the driver Robert Allyn and navigator David Bauer in a 2001 Monte Carlo NASCAR.

The race, first established in 1988, is now organized biannually in May and September, gaining full endorsem*nt from local law enforcement. The highway's unique characteristics, predominantly straight and flat with technical corners in the "narrows" area, contribute to the astonishing speeds witnessed during the event.

Notably, more than 200 amateur drivers from around the world converge in Ely, Nevada, the starting point of the race. The town's official website, www.elynevada.net, serves as a hub for information related to the event.

The competition features various classes, with an "unlimited" class determined by the highest average speed. However, the majority of the classes focus on drivers achieving a pre-declared average speed. The strict rules governing the event stipulate that vehicles must be powered by internal combustion engines using pump fuel. Additionally, the use of octane performance boosters is allowed, and turbochargers and superchargers are permitted. Crucially, participating cars must be "closed wheel and have the appearance of a production automobile or truck."

In summary, the Silver State Classic Challenge stands as a testament to the thrilling world of high-speed road racing, showcasing cutting-edge automotive technology within the framework of stringent regulations and class-based competitions.

Fastest open road race (2024)

FAQs

What is the record for the Big Bend Open Road race? ›

❗️NEW RECORD SPEED❗️ Let's congratulate Mike Smith for setting a new record speed of 223 mph. Big Bend Open Road Race was live.

What is the record for the Silver State Classic Challenge? ›

It is called the fastest road race in the world by Guinness, It was the venue for the highest speed achieved in an open road race, when Charles "Chuck" Shafer and Gary Bockman averaged 219.643 mph (353.481 km/h) in 2017, in a 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo stock car, as used in NASCAR.

What is the fastest race car in the world? ›

The fastest, the Jesko Absolut, is claimed to reach 330 mph by tweaking the aerodynamics, reducing drag, and increasing stability. Koenigsegg is expected to make a new speed run with the Jesko Absolut some time this year.

How fast do Le Mans cars go? ›

Due to the shorter length of the straights, the speed record at Le Mans now, after the introduction of the chicanes, is 366 km/h (227 mph). Typically race cars achieve top speed of just under 320 km/h (200 mph) at the current track (with chicanes).

What is the speed limit in Big Bend? ›

Drive within the speed limit, 45 mph maximum in the park, and watch carefully for javelina, deer, and rabbits grazing along road shoulders, especially at night.

What happened to the Big Red Camaro? ›

After completing a 14-day investigation, the Big Red Camaro crewhas determined that the fire that ended the team's run at the 100th Anniversary of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb began when the bolts retaining one of the fuel rails failed. The resulting fuel leak ignited, and spread through the rest of the car.

Has any car hit 300 mph? ›

Not only that, but the Chiron Super Sport 300+ also became the first car to break 300 miles per hour on the track. The final record was 304.773 mph with racing driver Andy Wallace at the wheel on Volkswagen's Ehra-Lessien test track in Germany.

Would an F1 car beat a NASCAR? ›

An F1 car would slaughter a NASCAR car on an F1 track, but could lose on an oval. F1 cars are designed for acceleration and manueaverability, not top speed. To my knowledge, current generation NASCAR cars go faster than F1 cars. However, in the past there have been F1 cars that were faster than the current versions.

Which is faster, F1 or IndyCar? ›

As far as speed goes, F1 cars can maneuver around tracks faster, but IndyCars have a higher top speed. Indy cars can hit speeds upwards of 240 mph during a race, while F1 cars max out at around 220 mph.

What is the top speed of the IndyCar? ›

An IndyCar machine produces 550-750 horsepower, with a top speed over 240 mph on the straightaways at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Alex Palou's pole qualifying speed for the 2023 Indy 500 was 234.217 mph over 4 laps on the 2.5-mile oval. Cars go from 0-200 mph in about 8 seconds. F1 cars can produce 1,000 horsepower.

How much does it cost to enter the Big Bend Open Road race? ›

The Big Bend Open Road Race is the common man's Indy 500. Anybody with a driver's license and a properly equipped vehicle can pay the entry fee (which ranges from $650 to $1,050, depending on class) and compete.

What state has the biggest street racing scene? ›

North Dakota leads the nation in street racers.

Close to 70 out of every 100,000 North Dakota drivers have a street racing violation on their records. Texas has the fewest recorded street racers — although several states have no street racers on record.

How many hours is Big Bend open? ›

Big Bend National Park is always open. You can enter and exit at any time of the day or night. Park entrances are open 24 hours daily, all year.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Last Updated:

Views: 6129

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Birthday: 1999-09-15

Address: 8416 Beatty Center, Derekfort, VA 72092-0500

Phone: +6838967160603

Job: Mining Executive

Hobby: Woodworking, Knitting, Fishing, Coffee roasting, Kayaking, Horseback riding, Kite flying

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Refugio Daniel, I am a fine, precious, encouraging, calm, glamorous, vivacious, friendly person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.