High speed mobility

A group of automotive enthusiasts in the UK hope to set a new world land speed record, with a mobility scooter. Powered by a 600cc motorcycle engine the mobility scooter is now thought to be able to reach some 192km/h, around 15 times as fast as a conventional mobility scooter. Official timed runs have yet to be made for the record to be set. The rules call for two timed speed runs to be made within one hour with the record being an average of the two. However the group believe their mobility scooter will e
September 26, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
A group of automotive enthusiasts in the UK hope to set a new world land speed record, with a mobility scooter. Powered by a 600cc motorcycle engine the mobility scooter is now thought to be able to reach some 192km/h, around 15 times as fast as a conventional mobility scooter. Official timed runs have yet to be made for the record to be set. The rules call for two timed speed runs to be made within one hour with the record being an average of the two. However the group believe their mobility scooter will easily be able to top the current mobility scooter speed record of 115km/h.

Meanwhile another man in the UK has fitted the starter motor from a Chinook helicopter to a shopping trolley. The starter motor has been modified to produce thrust and is estimated to deliver around 112kW. The first speed test at the Santa Pod drag strip has shown this unusual vehicle to be capable of reaching 70km/h, which makes it the world’s fastest shopping trolley. Its builder, a go-kart racer, believes it is powerful enough to reach 160km/h although he is unsure about its stability at this speed. Given the heat and noise the trolley generates, it is not likely to be welcome inside a supermarket however.

Related Content

  • Innovative compaction
    February 24, 2012
    Dynapac is offering four new tandem rollers aimed at asphalt compaction duties that extends its range in the 7-13tonne class to eight models in all. These machines have been developed to provide a high quality surface finish, while being efficient to run with low maintenance needs and easy servicing.
    Read More
  • New more efficient tools for loading and hauling duties
    September 30, 2013
    A number of key manufacturers are offering major improvements to their product offerings for loading and excavating. Key developments have been seen in engines and transmissions in particular, with vast reductions in emissions as well as improved fuel economy and working efficiency. Caterpillar’s 966K XE wheeled loader is one of the firm’s most sophisticated new models, with power from a 240kW diesel being delivered through an innovative continuously variable transmission (CVT). This technology is new t
    Read More
  • Safe road successes
    February 29, 2012
    According to the latest data from the International Transport Forum, there has been a steep decline in road deaths during first decade of 21st century in 33 countries.
    Read More
  • Zipping up road lanes – with Barrier Systems
    September 10, 2018
    QMB has a Lindsay Road Zipper on duty near Montreal. World Highways deputy editor David Arminas climbed aboard As vice president of Canadian barrier specialist QMB, based in Laval, Quebec, Marc-Andre Seguin is sanguine about the future for moveable barriers. On the one hand, it looks good. The oft-stated advantage of moveable barriers is that the systems are cheaper to install than adding a lane or two to a highway or bridge. Directional changes to lanes can boost volume on a road without disrupting tra
    Read More

Highlighted Content