speedrecord

A speed record is a formal designation for the highest velocity achieved within a defined category or environment. Records are typically limited to specific conditions, such as the surface (land or water), the medium (air), the distance traveled, and the duration or averaging method used to measure speed. They are kept by official bodies and are usually verified through standardized timing, instrumentation, and course measurements.

Common categories include land speed records, air speed records, and water speed records. Land speed records seek the highest average speed over a measured course on a prepared surface, often using two runs in opposite directions to account for wind effects. Air speed records cover the fastest speeds attained by aircraft in level flight or under particular flight profiles, as certified by the relevant aviation authority. Water speed records track the fastest speeds achieved by boats and other watercraft, with rules governing the course and measurement methods.

Measurement and verification involve precise timing devices, radar or GPS data, and independent observers or adjudicators. Conditions such as course length, surface quality, wind or current, and safety requirements are specified in advance; a attempt is not recognized unless all criteria are met.

Governing bodies and notable examples vary by category. The FIA oversees land speed records in many cases, while the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale handles air speed records. Guinness World Records also documents prominent speed achievements for popular audiences. Notable examples include Thrust SSC holding the land speed record, the X-15 rocket plane in air speed, and Spirit of Australia in water speed, illustrating how advances in propulsion, aerodynamics, and safety drive ongoing competition.