July 21 Is the Important Anniversary of Automotive Speed That You Never Knew About
It was on this day, 101 years ago, that the automobile broke the 100 mph barrier for the first time. French racing driver Louis Rigolly managed to push his Gobron-Brillié racer to 103.561 mph on the beach at Ostend, Belgium back in 1904, besting the 97.25 mph record set in 1903 by Belgian racer Pierre de Caters. For reference, that's four years before the Ford Model T was ever offered to the public. You'd be lucky to see Tin Lizzie make it to 45 mph in-period. While Rigolly's own record would only stand for a matter of months, his efforts remain an important footnote in humanity's pursuit of speed.
July 21, 1925 would bring yet another record for the automobile. Speed icon Sir Malcolm Campbell would average 150.766 mph over the course of two runs across the Pendine Sands in Carmarthenshire, Wales, adding another record to his extensive collection. His weapon of choice was a 350-hp Sunbeam-built racer known as 'Blue Bird', which remains one of the most famous machines of its era. Campbell would later go on to become the first person to break the 300 mph barrier in a car at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1935.
Ferrari would also tack its name onto this day in history back in 1987, pulling the cover off of the legendary F40 for the first time at the Civic Centre in Maranello. The F40 arrived as the first production car capable of breaking 200 mph, with a claimed top speed of 201. The car's record as the top-dog of the supercar world wouldn't last long, with the Jaguar XJ220 setting a new 217 mph record in 1993.
Here's to many more July 21 records to come.
You Might Also Like
You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox
Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners
The Man Who Signs Every Car
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Alexander Isak sighting fuels claims of Liverpool agreement
Alexander Isak has been spotted and it only fuels claims that he's got an agreement with Liverpool. Watch this space. Reports are everywhere right now that Liverpool want to sign Alexander Isak. In truth, they've wanted to land the Swede all year. LFC x New Era Shop Now LFC Signed Merch Shop Now LFC x Titleist Shop Now It's just that no one is sure how possible that is. Liverpool are happy to pay a British transfer record fee but there's no guarantee that Newcastle United would accept it. They're not happy with the idea of losing their star player. Not when they harbour dreams of being one of the Premier League's top dogs. Keeping Isak would be ideal, then - something to build on after qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. But it's looking less and less likely. Alexander Isak spotted El Diario Vasco reports that Isak has been seen training alone at Real Sociedad's training ground. The forward played there before joining Newcastle, of course. He's apparently working with a personal trainer ahead of the upcoming season, completely apart from Newcastle. Isak is not on their pre-season tour and now it appears he's not even with the club at all. This is hot on the heels of Sky Germany claiming he has an agreement with Liverpool. They suggest the Reds have offered Isak a six-year contract on a much higher wage.
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool have FOUND star to replace Luis Diaz
Liverpool have found the star to replace Luis Diaz. The Colombian joined Bayern Munich this week. Luis Diaz has joined Bayern Munich from Liverpool. It's a sizeable deal, too - around £65m. LFC Kits Shop Now LFC x New Era Shop Now LFC Signed Merch Shop Now LFC x Titleist Shop Now Diaz leaving the club always felt likely this summer after contract talks stalled and he entered the final two years on his deal. Reports that the Reds wanted to shakeup their attack only strengthened those feelings, too. Well, they've certainly done that. Florian Wirtz has arrived as a new playmaker and Hugo Ekitike is a new centre-forward. Liverpool will do more business, too, as they look to move players on and find replacements. But that latter part is key. Liverpool must replace stars who leave, especially as Arne Slot wants two options for every role. Replacing Diaz should be incredibly expensive. But the Reds will instead do it for free. Rio Ngumoha is the one Everyone watching Liverpool in pre-season has the same takeaway: Rio Ngumoha is a star. The teenager, who doesn't turn 17 for another month, has been incredible from the left. Of course, the hype around Ngumoha was enormous on arrival. He was one of the most talked-about stars in youth football which led to Liverpool grabbing him from Chelsea's academy. His first season of youth football with the Reds went very well, too, and Anfield Watch understands he looked even better in training. So much so that Liverpool were removing him from training footage in order to keep the hype sustainable. That hype is now on full display in pre-season. Ngumoha has been brilliant and scored again on Wednesday as Liverpool beat Yokohama. It is quite clear, then, that he's ready. The worry for such a young player against senior players is that he couldn't match opponents physically - but that's clearly no concern. Ngumoha looks dangerous every time he has the ball, isn't easily muscled out, and boasts the kind of confidence you'd want to see. If sets him up to be the ideal replacement for Diaz in the squad. 'In the squad' is the key part here - we don't believe Ngumoha should take over his minutes. Those should be split between Ekitike and Cody Gakpo, who is now undoubtedly the starting left-winger in the squad. But as one of the six forwards? Ngumoha is ready and quite honestly, signing someone to play in front of him feels irresponsible at this stage.
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Official – Sevilla Buy Further 40% Of France Midfielder Rights: Inter Milan Still Own 10%
La Liga giants Sevilla have acquired an additional 40% of Lucien Agoume, increasing their total ownership of the former Inter Milan midfielder. According to the club's official website, Los Nervionenses have paid €4 million to secure the extra portion of his rights. Following several underwhelming loan spells, Lucien Agoume swapped San Siro for Seville last summer. However, the Spaniards purchased only half of his rights at the time, agreeing to a co-ownership deal with the Nerazzurri. Sevilla Purchase Another 40% of Lucien Agoume Rights from Inter Milan LA SPEZIA, ITALY – MAY 23: Lucien Agoume of Spezia Calcio in action during the Serie A match between Spezia Calcio and AS Roma at Stadio Alberto Picco on May 23, 2021 in La Spezia, Italy. (Photo by) The Andalusian powerhouse held only half of Agoume's rights throughout the 2024/25 season. Yet, the 23-year-old has convinced the ex-Europa League winners to increase their stake by purchasing an additional 40%. Indeed, the Frenchman had an impressive season at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in 2024/25. He racked up 35 appearances in La Liga, netting one goal and providing three assists. Therefore, Sevilla's decision to increase their stake in the ownership comes as no surprise. Meanwhile, Inter can reinvest the money in the transfer market.
