Fast Eddie's record hard to call

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Fast Eddie's record hard to call

3News NZ

Eddie Freeman, aka Fast Eddie

Eddie Freeman, aka Fast Eddie

On Saturday, Eddie Freeman drove 1km at an average speed of 355km/h.

That's very fast – the fastest 1km ever driven in New Zealand.

The record was previously held by Owen Evans, who in 1996 averaged 348km/h over a mile (1.6km).

But here is where things go a bit awry. Eddie's distance was 1km; Owen's distance was 1.6km. And the trophy says "the flying mile".

Confused as to what that means? So are we. So is Eddie. So is Owen. So is Motorsport New Zealand.

They all talked to Campbell Live about the record.

Watch the video for the interview and Tristram Clayton’s full report.

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Comments

2/11/2012 8:54:14 a.m.

SRVRACING wrote:

I think you're missing something important here Eddie. You correctly state the Flying KM is typically stacked on top of the Flying Mile and the mile is generally faster due to the extra speed build up. But the Flying Km is measured on the way to the Flying Mile...ie: You set the Flying Km and then travel a further 600 metres and for the Mile. By just targeting the Flying Km you can achieve a higher average speed because the end of the Km is where your run ends. The timing equipment is set up to be optimised specifically for NOT 1 mile as in World Land Speed Records. They (and Owen Evans) set the Flying Km as a by product of their Flying Mile run, you set out specifically to obtain the flying Km. Because it's an average speed over a given distance you can't claim it's not the same. If the National Land Speed Record is based on a one mile run you are incorrect in claiming the absolute record based on one km.

1/11/2012 1:54:59 p.m.

Eddie Freeman wrote:

If you look into Land Speed records as governed by the FIA internationally you will see that "record attempts are standardised over a fixed length course (qualifying distance) and averaged over two runs in opposite directions". There is no specification that a mile is the benchmark as there is multiple recognised qualifying distances. Internationally the FIA, and locally Motorsport NZ both recognise the flying KM. You will also note that the Outright World Land Speed Record is only a mile because it is fractionally faster than the 1KM Speed achieved which is duly recognised. If the 1KM Speed was faster then of course that would be a new Outright World record as it would be the fastest speed within a FIA recognised distance. It is a point not often raised because the Flying Mile is stacked on top of the Flying KM in most attempts and the Flying Mile is typically faster on account of the additional speed build up. We successfully broke the Flying KM Record and now hold the fastest Absolute record in NZ. The fact is that the Castrol Trophy due to its age no longer represents what people thought it did.

31/10/2012 3:16:29 p.m.

srvracing wrote:

If Eddie Freeman believes the land speed record should be irrespective of distance, then how would he feel if someone took his title by setting the record for fastest average speed over 500 metres? This would mean setting the timing equipment up later in the runway when the actual velocity is faster so it would easily smash his record. Simple fact is a speed run over one KM IS NOT THE SAME as one over a mile. Hence all World Land Speed Records are held over a mile, so they are set on consistent terms as records past. Anyone who has put 2 years into obtaining a speed record should know this.

31/10/2012 11:03:19 a.m.

Nick wrote:

Eddie, Motorsport New Zealand told you that the Flying MILE trophy was not attached to any distance and you didn't think/look more into it?

30/10/2012 5:22:02 p.m.

Eddie Freeman wrote:

Bevan, Motorsport NZ specified to us the trophy was not attached to a specific distance which is why we thought we had acquired it with the breaking of the flying KM land speed record. As soon as it became apparent it was attached to the flying mile we had no desire to acquire it as it wasn't a record we had attempted. We simply thought that after the miscommunication from MotorsportNZ they should look at recognising the fastest Land Speed Record.

30/10/2012 3:59:26 a.m.

Bevan wrote:

If Eddie wants the flying mile Trophy, perhaps he should actually do a flying mile!!!! Anyone can go fast on a FLAT MASSIVELY wide airport, if Eddie thinks he has what it takes, why dont he take his Lambo to the road Owen used, do a flying mile and take the trophy from Owen. Made me laugh on Campbell live when Eddie suggested Owen go do it at Ohakea, but why bother when it not long enough to do a flying mile, I think Eddie should step up and go for the mile before he lays a challenge down to Owen to beat his km!!!!