How fast do race cars go?

Back in 1985-86, when cars were running tiny 1.5 litre turbo-charged engines burning exotic fuels that gave around 1500hp, peak speeds were well over 220mph for the quickest cars. Many of them were struggling both to keep their tyres in one piece, and stick much of that 1500hp to the tarmac. read more

Former racer Jean Alesi told Wired that cars that approach 220 mph feel like they are "about to lift off the track." The record for the fastest Formula 1 car is 246.9 mph, accomplished in 2006 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in a stripped-down vehicle. Typical Formula 1 race cars reach 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and 100 mph in five seconds. read more