World-First Inversion: McMurtry Automotive has achieved a remarkable feat, making its Spéirling hyper track car the first ever to drive upside down from a stationary start; Thomas Yates, McMurtry’s Co-founder & Managing Director, utilized the car’s unique Downforce-on-Demand
fan system to generate an immense vacuum, effectively sticking the hypercar to the surface of a specially designed rotating rig at their Gloucestershire headquarters in England; the demonstration was observed by McMurtry employees and independent adjudicators.
Record-Breaking Pedigree: This incredible demonstration adds to the Spéirling’s growing list of accolades; the same vehicle recently shattered the Top Gear Test Track record by a significant 3.1 seconds, surpassing the previous record held by a 2004 V10 Renault R24 Formula 1 car; the Spéirling also holds the outright records for the Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb and the Laguna Seca Corkscrew Hillclimb.
The Visionary Behind the Machine: The McMurtry Spéirling is a testament to British engineering innovation, a single-seat, all-electric hypercar conceived by the late Sir David McMurtry, a renowned billionaire and inventor; McMurtry Automotive, with its dedicated team of engineers, continues to honor his legacy.
Manager’s Perspective: Thomas Yates expressed his excitement, stating, “That was just a fantastic day in the office! Strapping in and driving inverted was a completely surreal experience; the 2000kg of downforce that the fan system can generate is truly astonishing to experience and it’s great to show the reason why our Spéirling continues to take records around the world.” He also hinted at future possibilities, suggesting that longer inverted tracks or tunnels could allow for even more extensive upside-down driving.
The Science of Inversion: The concept of high-downforce race cars potentially driving upside down has been discussed, but never before realized; the Spéirling’s patented Downforce-on-Demand system is the key, providing exceptional grip for acceleration, braking, and cornering, especially at low speeds; unlike traditional aerodynamic downforce which is speed-dependent, the Spéirling’s fan-generated downforce is available even when stationary.
The Upside-Down Drive: The record attempt involved Yates driving the Spéirling onto a rotating platform; as the platform inverted the car, the powerful fan system created a vacuum beneath the vehicle, generating more than enough force to counteract gravity; once fully inverted, Yates drove the Spéirling forward, completely unsupported.
Powertrain and Performance Details: The McMurtry Spéirling boasts a fully electric powertrain that delivers astonishing performance figures; it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 1.5 seconds and complete a quarter mile in just 8 seconds; furthermore, the hypercar is capable of achieving lateral acceleration of over 3g, highlighting its exceptional cornering capabilities; the Downforce-on-Demand system, generating up to 2000kg of downforce, is integral to these performance metrics, providing unparalleled grip at any speed.
Tribute Livery: The Spéirling used for this record attempt featured a unique gloss black falcon camouflage livery on a matt black base; this design pays homage to McMurtry’s original fan car unveiled in 2021, where the public first questioned its upside-down driving potential; the falcon graphics are inspired by the company’s logo, the peregrine falcon, known for its incredible speed; additional graphics are strategically placed under the rear wing for optimal viewing when the car is inverted.
From Prototype to Production Reality: The vehicle that achieved this world first is the McMurtry Spéirling PURE Validation Prototype 1 (VP1), an advanced evolution of the record-setting Goodwood car; this prototype represents a significant step towards the final production model, with a limited run of just 100 units planned; customer deliveries of the Spéirling PURE are scheduled to begin in 2026 and will include upgrades such as a higher capacity 100kWh battery pack; this enhanced battery will allow for extended track sessions, providing 20 minutes of driving at ‘GT3 pace’ and the capability for multiple record-breaking hot laps, utilizing P50B Molicel 21700 lithium-ion battery cells for optimal power and energy density.
Safety First: Despite the seemingly daring nature of the upside-down drive, the Spéirling is engineered to meet the stringent motorsport safety standards of LMP1 cars, the fastest category at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours; the fan-generated downforce also plays a crucial safety role in track and racing scenarios; testing has shown that this consistent downforce, independent of speed or direction, can significantly aid in stopping the car quickly and safely even during spins or other uncontrolled maneuvers when the brakes are applied.
Summary:
- First car to drive upside down from stationary.
- Achieved using Downforce-on-Demand fan system.
- Holds records at Top Gear, Goodwood, and Laguna Seca.
- Customer deliveries in 2026.
- Special livery tributes original fan car.
Disclaimer: This demonstration involved highly specialized technology and professional drivers. Replicating this action is extremely dangerous and should not be attempted.
Source: McMurtry Automotive
AI Assistance: Gemini
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