Stephen Wallis, a 44-year-old motorcycle engineer from Rugby, Warwickshire, has set a new speed record for remote control cars by reaching 256.47 mph. Using a custom-built vehicle named The Mach Reaper, Wallis became the first person to surpass 250 mph with a remote-controlled car during a test at Llanbedr Airfield in North Wales.

Wallis constructed The Mach Reaper at his home garage, assembling the 3-foot-6-inch vehicle from drone components, 3D-printed parts, as well as carbon fiber and aluminum materials. The project reportedly cost around £2,000.

Achieving such high speeds with a small-scale vehicle presented significant challenges, Wallis explained, highlighting the complexity of balancing aerodynamics, tires, electronics, and overall reliability. He also noted that favorable weather conditions, including minimal wind, contributed to the success of the record without external assistance.

The Mach Reaper accelerates rapidly, capable of going from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds and reaching 200 mph in 8.7 seconds. Wallis designed the chassis to be as narrow as possible to minimize aerodynamic drag and employed larger motors to maintain performance without overheating.

While the record has yet to be officially verified by Guinness World Records, Wallis expressed his intention to push the limits further. “I just want to keep raising the bar,” he said, indicating plans to attempt even greater speeds in the future.