Extreme
Esprit attempted 200mph at the Bonneville flats last week! The car was screaming
along seemingly without fault until it lost power at 210.7mph! After slowing
down to 162mph it went out of control, drifting sideways until driver Johan
Hybinette wrestled it back under control.
Upon investigation the cause of the failure turned out to be a catastrophic
transmission failure, where the car completely lost the 5th gear and the engine
redlined. After coasting down to 162mph something locked inside transmission and
the rear wheels didn’t spin anymore. Thanks to Johan's quick reaction in
engaging the clutch the car didn't flip - scary stuff!
The next plan is to use a Porsche G50 transmission instead.
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