The McMurtry Speirling fancar is gunning for the Goodwood hillclimb record

The current Goodwood Festival of Speed hillclimb record holder is the all-electric VW ID.R, which rocketed up the 1.16-mile lane in just 39.9 seconds back in 2019. 

Could that crown be pinched by an upstart British-Irish miniature Batmobile sporting two tonnes of downforce without a wing in sight? McMurtry Automotive, creators of the Speirling electric racer, think they might have a shot…

You’ll remember the Speirling from our 2021 Speed Week extravaganza. Back then, the car was an early prototype. McMurtry’s been very busy since, increasing the power of the twin ground effect fans to ramp up downforce from 500kg to a staggering 2,000kg. And because there’s no need for high speed airflow to generate said downforce, it’s available from walking pace. 

The team says up to the 150mph v-max, this teeny single-seater generates more negative lift than a Formula One car. Even when geared for longer circuits, it'll do 0-186mph in nine seconds. 

This cute lil' hypershoe is powered by two electric motors, and can accelerate from 0-60mph in just 1.5 seconds. The drivers who’ll be finding out how it feels to empty your stomach faster than you can say ‘bleeuurgh’ are ex-F1 and IndyCar pilot Max Chilton and current British Hillclimb Championship leader Alex Summers. Best of luck…

McMurtry’s main target is to set the fastest hillclimb time of the weekend, but the company’s official statement teases a bigger prize: “These [performance] figures, plus the confidence gained from extensive track testing with former Formula 1, Le Mans and IndyCar driver Max Chilton has convinced the team that an outside shot at the record on the Goodwood hillclimb is within reach.”

Even if it doesn’t nick the record, the sound of a twin-fan car ingesting enough air to stick itself to the Duke of Richmond’s ballroom ceiling should be well worth tuning in for. Watch this space.