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ITV
BAR test driver Alan van der Merwe set a new unofficial speed record for a Formula 1 car on Saturday, as the team continued to shakedown its Bonneville 400 car at Mojave Airport in California.
The South African managed three runs at over 400kph, the fastest of which was his last: 415kph (257.88mph).
The modified BAR-Honda hybrid's speed along the 10,000 asphalt runway was recorded by an on-board Pitot Tube* and a 60-metre radar trap set up by the team.
“The car ran perfectly,” said Gary Savage, Bonneville 400’s technical chief.
“The day proved how important all the recce work has been, and how important it was to approach this challenge in a proper professional manner, to show it respect, rather than just turn up on the salt flats, go for it and hope for the best.”
The day, however, was not without problem: a 45-knot side wind, with gusts up to 60 knots.
BAR must wait until it returns to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah in May of next year before it can gun for an official record however.
The project's original attempt was ruined by torrential rain which flooded the salt plains.
“It was an encouraging day and we are confident that we can achieve this speed – and more – at Bonneville," said Savage.
"But we also know that its salt surface is a much more difficult proposition. The key now is to be patient and wait for the right conditions.”
I've ben to the Salt Flats to see speed runs before and while it's a good time and fun for BAR it's a waste of time.
