Faulty Measurements Negate Vehicle Speed Record

SSC North America will have to make another run at the title.

Last month, SSC North America was sitting atop the record books after seeing their SSC Tuatara hit a top speed of 331 mph — setting a world record for production vehicles.

The company’s record-setting feat was touted by a number of news outlets, including this one.

Then, the internet happened.

SSC North America founder and CEO Jerod Shelby recently took to YouTube – the medium that helped to promote, and ultimately dispel, the company’s accomplishment – to discuss data discrepancies that brought the Tuatara’s run into question.

After breaking down the video, several automotive YouTubers found inconsistencies with the speed being displayed in different video clips. SSC initially felt those inconsistencies were simply the result of editing errors.

However, from first-hand experience, I can tell you that the guys behind the camera and in the production studio never, ever make mistakes. At least, that’s the case here, and it was ultimately the case for Shelby and SSC.

After reviewing all the footage, the company quickly changed gears.

Shelby stated in the YouTube message that, "We all of a sudden were seeing the same doubts. We were seeing different speeds for the very same run. And the more we looked and the more we tried to analyze, the more we were concerned there were doubts in the relationship between the video and the GPS."

The record speeds were obtained with Dewetron GPS measurements, which tracked the Tuatara with an average of 15 satellites.

Shelby vowed that SSC will attempt to set the record again, and in an “undeniable” and “irrefutable” manner. As part of that yet-to-be-scheduled event, Shelby will ensure their vehicle features GPS equipment from multiple companies, and will invite many of the YouTubers that found the errors to be on-site.

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