Idris Elba breaks 'flying mile' record on Welsh beach sands

Record from 1927 broken in Bentley Continental GT Speed

Idris Elba, renaissance man and the star of seemingly every other cool TV show and film of the past 15 years, has another feat to add to his resume: breaking the historic "flying mile" record set by Sir Malcolm Campbell in 1927.

The original record was set in 1927 on the Pendine Sands in Wales, U.K., one of the few places at the time where a motorcar could travel at high speeds for minutes at a time. Sir Campbell achieved a speed of 174.8 mph piloting the famous Napier-Campbell Blue Bird, a record verified at the time by the UK Timing Association.

Elba had at his disposal a Bentley Continental GT Speed for the "flying mile" record attempt, achieving a speed of 180.361 mph. The GT Speed is powered by a 6.0-liter turbocharged W12 engine producing 626 hp and 607 lb-ft of torque, connected to an eight speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels. The coupe can hit 60 mph in 4 seconds flat and has a top speed of 206 mph ... at least on pavement.

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Elba's average speed over several attempts was 180.361 mph. Photo by Bentley

As you have no doubt guessed by now, wet sand can make for an inconsistent surface when traveling just under 200 mph in just about anything, including a Dakar racer. So achieving 180.361 mph in a 5,115-pound car that feels better suited to shuttling owners around the posh London areas of Mayfair and Knightsbridge was not as simple as doing it on a unrestricted autobahn or a racetrack.

Elba had to contend with the famous British weather as well as the inconsistent levels of water in the sand, in addition to large areas of water amidst the undulating dunes and the tide. The stunt was filmed for the four-part Discovery Channel series "Idris Elba: No Limits" set to air in July.

"I'm absolutely elated to have broken the 'flying mile' at Pendine Sands," Elba later said. "It’s an honor to have taken on the challenge, and to successfully follow in the footsteps of the illustrious Sir Malcolm Campbell."
 

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