Why Did it Go So FAST

Dive into the incredible journey of Henry O'Neal de Hane Segrave, a pioneering figure in motor racing history. This story tracks Segrave's remarkable achievements, from his early fascination with cars and motorcycles to breaking records and making history. Post-WWI, Segrave quickly rose to prominence in the racing world, first at Brooklands, then internationally with Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq, becoming the first Briton in 21 years to win a primary international motor race. His triumphs continued, including breaking the land speed record at 152 mph. Despite briefly losing this title, Segrave's determination led to the creation of the Sunbeam 1000, a revolutionary car designed with limited resources but immense ingenuity, capable of reaching about 900 horsepower. The narrative follows Segrave's challenging journey to Daytona, facing financial hurdles and a tragic incident involving his friend and rival, Parry Thomas. His record attempt at Daytona was fraught with risks and setbacks. Still, with resilience and skill, Segrave smashed the existing record, reaching an extraordinary speed of 207 mph and making history as the first to break the 200 mph barrier. Celebrate the legacy of Segrave and the Sunbeam 1000, a testament to human ambition and engineering brilliance.
Footage used under Fair Deal / Fair Use.