Everyone knows Idris Elba from “The Wire” but the British actor has a daredevil side and has just broken a 90 year old land speed record. Elba broke the speed record for “The Flying Mile” in a Bentley Continental GT. This is for a new network television series Elba has coming out. Read more to see the photos taken and details of the incredible feat!
In 1927 a modified Bentley called the Napier Campbell Blue Bird driven by automobile journalist Sir Arthur Campbell set a UK speed record for 174.8 mph. On Thursday Idris Elba got behind the wheel of a standard model Bentley Continental GT and had an average speed of 180.36 mph with a top speed of 186.4 mph becoming the newest Brit to hold the speed record replacing Campbell. The 2 door 2.5 ton Bentley Continental Gt is a 12 cylinder beast with 626 horsepower and a top speed of 206 mph. Elba drove that standard model with no modifications whatsoever. The record setting event took place and Pendine Sands in Wales with the UK Timing Association present to take the official numbers.
This is all for Idris Elba’s new Discovery Channel series ” Idris Elba: No Limits” which is slated to air in July. With talks about Elba being a contender for the future James Bond role he certainly proves that he can drive like Bond off the screen without question.
Elba said after the record achievement “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.”
Source Digital Trends
