Karmactive Team
In a surprising turn of events at the Monterey Motorsports Reunion, the McMurtry Spéirling, an electric fan car, inadvertently set two lap records at Laguna Seca Raceway. The Spéirling Pure model, piloted by Philip Kadoorie. The EV redefined speed and clocked a lap time of 1:18.413 minutes, securing its position as both the fastest electric vehicle (EV) at the Laguna Seca and the fastest production car in the track’s history.
Unintentional Record-Breaking Performance
The record-setting laps occurred during a 10-minute demonstration event, where two Spéirling vehicles ran together for the first time in public. Kadoorie, who typically races a Porsche 962 Group C car in historic competitions, on the contrary, kadoorie managed to circle the 2.238-mile track seven times, with his best lap breaking the previous records.
What makes this feat even more remarkable is that the Spéirling was operating at just 50% of its power and downforce capabilities. “The confidence I had with the fan-assisted aero is one of the reasons we broke the EV record today without really trying,” Kadoorie stated. He expressed interest in returning next year to attempt the outright lap record with more power and enhanced fan settings.
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Technical Marvels Behind the Speed
The Spéirling’s exceptional performance can be attributed to several key factors:
- Lightweight Design: The car features an ultra-lightweight carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, resulting in a total weight of just 2,200 pounds.
- Powerful Drivetrain: A dual-motor powertrain generates 1,000 horsepower.
- Innovative Aerodynamics: Two turbine fans create over 4,000 pounds of downforce, ensuring exceptional traction.
These features enable the Spéirling to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 1.55 seconds and achieve a top speed of 185 mph.
A History of Breaking Records
The Spéirling’s record-breaking performance at Laguna Seca is not an isolated incident. Since its debut at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the vehicle has consistently set new benchmarks in automotive performance.
The Laguna Seca Lap Record Battle
The achievement of the Spéirling comes amidst fierce competition for the production car lap record at Laguna Seca:
- Koenigsegg initially broke the record with a time of 1:24.86 in the Jesko Attack.
- Czinger reclaimed the top spot with its C21, beating Koenigsegg by a mere 0.11 seconds.
- The McMurtry Spéirling then surpassed both, setting a time 6.3 seconds faster than the Czinger C21.
Implications for the Automotive Industry
The Spéirling’s performance, especially with an amateur driver at the helm, raises questions about the future of automotive technology and racing. Its electric powertrain and innovative aerodynamics could potentially influence future vehicle designs across the industry.
Looking Ahead
While the Spéirling Pure is available for purchase starting at £895.000, McMurtry needs to produce multiple units to claim the title of “fastest production car ever officially.” The company’s future plans for the Spéirling, including potential optimizations and further record attempts, remain a topic of interest for automotive enthusiasts and industry experts alike.
As electric vehicles continue to evolve, the McMurtry Spéirling stands as a testament to the potential of innovative engineering in pushing the boundaries of automotive performance.
