Autoblog

The Great Pickup Controversy has been settled. It was reported last week that the Rocket Ranger, from SPAL USA, crossed the Bonneville Salt Flats at 215.091 miles per hour. In doing so, SPAL claimed it set the top speed world record for a pickup truck. However, back in 2002, Gale Banks Engineering's Project Sidewinder Dakota ran the flats at 217.306. So SPAL actually didn't get the world record, yet because of their 215+ run they now hold the national top speed title. Why? Because as in boxing, there are multiple bodies that ignore one another and crown their own champions. The FIA certifies world records, the Southern California Timing Association certifies national records, and neither body acknowledges the other's certifications. SPAL got its from the SCTA, Banks from the FIA. Banks has congratulated SPAL, but wants to unify the titles with its own run in the future. So it ain't over. Stay tuned.

[Source: PickupTruck.com]

A British team is out to demolish the land speed records for a steam powered vehicle in both the kilometer and the mile. The records are 121.6 mp for the kilo, set in 1906, and an unofficial 145.6 mph for the mile, set in 1985. As if using tap water to go stupid fast wasn't cool enough, they're doing it in a vehicle straight out of Buck Rogers' garage. The chief designer worked on both the Thrust 2 Jet Car and the ThrustSSC. The "car" in question is made of aluminum and carbon composites sitting a tubular steel frame. Out back, there's a two-stage, LPG-fired Curtis-type steam turbine fed by four boilers. Total output is only 325 bhp, but the team expects to break 200 mph using an output shaft gear ratio of 5:1. No word on whether Peter Gabriel is providing the official theme song.

Thanks for the tip, sr20boston

[Source: Steam Car]

click above image for a few more pics of Molinari's Ferrari boat

So the prancing horse is having a little trouble on the track, but its engines aren't having any problems at all on the water. Speedboat designer Eugenio Molinari, using a production engine from an F430, broke the running kilometer world records in two categories on Lake Como, Italy. At 1,100 kg, he ran the kilo at 123.3 km/h, and at 1,450 kg, he did 122 km/h. The feats were dedicated by Molinari to Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari CEO, and the marque during its 60th anniversary year. A bit of trivia: 35 years ago, Molinari designed the first boat to house a Lamborghini engine taken from an Espada.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Gallery: Molinari Ferrari Boat