Fast movers How the world land speed record has fallen

Dec 1898

Gaston de Chasseloup-laubat reaches 39.24mph at Yvelines, France, in his electric Jeantaud DUC

Oct 1906

Dorothy Levitt breaks the women’s record for the flying kilometre, at 91mph, earning her the nickname “Fastest Girl on Earth”

June 1914

Lydston Hornsted sets the first record under Association International des Automobile Clubs Reconnus rules, reaching 124.09mph in his Benz No 3 at Brooklands, Surrey

Sept 1925

Malcolm Campbell hits 150.87mph in Sunbeam 350HP, at Pendine, Carmarthen Bay

Feb 1927

Campbell, above, reaches 174.88mph in Blue Bird, again at Pendine. A year later, he hits 206.95mph at Daytona Beach, US

Sept 1935

After setting a further four land speed records, Campbell becomes the first person to breach the 300mph barrier, reaching 301.29mph in his Campbell Railton Blue Bird at Bonneville Salt Flats, US

Sept 1947

John Cobb sets the last land speed record before the jet propulsion era, reaching 394.19mph at Bonneville Salt Flats in his Railton Mobil Special

Aug 1963

Craig Breedlove hits 407.44mph in Spirit of America at Bonneville Salt Flats

Oct 1964

Breedlove, above, reaches 526.27mph in Spirit of America at Bonneville Flats

Oct 1983

Richard Noble, above, reaches 633.47mph in Thrust 2 at Black Rock Desert, US

Sept 1997

Andy Green hits 714.14mph in Thrust SSC. The next month, he reaches 763.03mph at Black Rock Desert