Freeman Fastest Man on Land

Media Release
28 October 2012
Freeman Fastest Man on Land

Eddie Freeman has successfully broken the New Zealand Land Speed Record reaching 383 km/hr, realising a life-long dream and cementing his name in the history books.

Freeman’s attempt was made at Ohakea Air Base, Manawatu, Saturday 27 October 2012.

His average speed of 355.48 km/hr surpasses the previous record of 348.23 km/hr held by kiwi Owen Evans who has held the title for the last 15 years. Evans will now pass on the Castrol Trophy for the New Zealand Land Speed Record to Freeman.

“I’m absolutely wrapped. To reach 383 km/hr and claim the Land Speed Record feels incredible. I’ve been working towards this goal for so long and I’m so pleased to have achieved it,” says Freeman.

Freeman made his attempt in a Lamborghini Superleggera, a supercar producing 530bph. Freeman had the car specially modified by the world’s best Lamborghini auto tuners in the USA to produce 1500 rwhp.

Freeman was granted access to Ohakea Air Base by the New Zealand Air Force who were on standby to respond to any complications.

“After years of trying to make this dream a reality, we were so thrilled to have permission to use the Air Base. I’m very thankful to everyone who has supported me and my team in our mission to break this record and claim the title,” says Freeman.

Motorsport New Zealand managed the event under strict codes to ensure all safety measures were followed and that accurate recordings were taken.

“Safety was always our number one priority and the attempt required a great deal of work by everyone behind the scenes, we are so happy to have achieved such an amazing feat,”

Freeman and his support team have been preparing for his record attempt for the last year. Along with the adjustments made to Freeman’s Lamborghini, the team spent the last eight months trying to secure a track safe enough to achieve the required speed.

“It has been a long road and we have had some setbacks with various venues turning us down. We are so pleased to have finally made it and we couldn’t have asked for better conditions. Ohakea Air Base and the Manawatu weather have been on our side,” says Freeman.

Freeman is the founder of FreemanX supercars, a supercar driving experience company and believes his new Castrol Trophy for New Zealand Land Speed Record underpins the philosophies of his company.

“Challenging a Land Speed Record has meant so much to our company. It aligns with what we stand for and is a fitting way to celebrate 10 years of providing exciting experiences for our customers in New Zealand and Australia,” continues Freeman.

Freeman also went on to break the New Zealand Land Speed Record for a Road Registered Vehicle - a record that has stood since 1996 at 316km/hr, smashing the record at 335km/hr.

END

Note: all records are subject to official adjudication from Motorsport New Zealand.

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