The McMurtry Spéirling already holds the most prestigious hill climb record in motorsport. Now the British company wants to build enough of these fan powered track monsters to satisfy the growing queue of wealthy enthusiasts willing to pay seven figures for the ultimate lap time advantage.
McMurtry Automotive, founded by Sir David McMurtry of precision engineering giant Renishaw, stunned the motorsport world in June 2022 when their electric single seater demolished the Goodwood Festival of Speed hill climb record. The Spéirling completed the 1.16 mile course in 39.08 seconds, shattering Nick Heidfeld's previous record of 39.9 seconds set in a McLaren Formula 1 car.
The secret lies in technology banned from Formula 1 since 1978. Twin fans mounted in the car's floor suck air from beneath the vehicle, creating massive downforce even at low speeds. Where conventional aerodynamics need velocity to generate grip, the Spéirling generates maximum downforce from a standing start. Combined with over 1,000 horsepower from twin electric motors and a kerb weight of just 1,000 kilograms, the result is acceleration that defies physics textbooks.
The original Brabham BT46B fan car won just one Formula 1 race in 1978 before being banned for being too effective. McMurtry has taken that concept and amplified it with modern electric powertrains and carbon fiber construction. The Spéirling produces enough suction to theoretically drive upside down at speed, though McMurtry sensibly recommends keeping the wheels on the ground.
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Early customer deliveries have already begun, with each Spéirling carrying a price tag of approximately £1 million. That puts it in McLaren P1 territory, but the performance figures justify the cost for serious track day addicts. The car can generate lateral forces that would make seasoned racing drivers reconsider their career choices.
The production expansion signals McMurtry's confidence in demand for extreme track toys. While most manufacturers chase road car relevance, McMurtry has doubled down on pure performance. The Spéirling exists solely to deliver the most intense driving experience possible on a closed circuit. No compromise for road use, no emissions regulations to navigate, just the purest expression of speed engineering.
The new facility will allow McMurtry to increase production beyond the handful of cars they can currently build. Each Spéirling requires extensive hand assembly and testing before delivery. The fan system alone demands precise calibration to ensure maximum downforce without compromising reliability during extended track sessions.
For McMurtry, the expansion represents validation of their radical approach to performance. While other companies debate hybrid systems and synthetic fuels, they have proven that the most effective way to go faster is to rewrite the rules of aerodynamics. The queue of customers willing to pay £1 million for that privilege suggests they might be onto something revolutionary.
Sources: Goodwood Festival of Speed official records, McMurtry Automotive official website
