World Speed Record On Ice
In early 2007, a Bentley Continental GT Speed equipped with Nokian Hakkapeliitta Sport Utility 5 studded winter tyres and driven by four-time World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen, broke the World Speed Record on Ice - on the frozen Baltic Sea near Oulu, Finland. It averaged 321.6 kilometres per hour (199.83 mph) in both directions on the "flying kilometre", reaching a maximum speed of 331 km/h (205.67 mph). The previous record was 296 km/h (183.9 mph), achieved with a Bugatti EB110 Supersport. The record-breaking Bentley was largely standard except for a roll-cage, aerodynamic improvements, and low-temperature fuel and calibration.
On February 15, 2011 Kankkunen broke the record again, reaching an average speed of 331 km/h (205.67 mph) in a convertible Bentley Continental Supersports. Bentley announced that a limited edition of the car would be released to celebrate the achievement. It seems that Bentley provoked the former tyre supplier by attempting a new record with a different brand because, on March 6, 2011, Nokian Tyres test driver, piloting an Audi RS6 with Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 studded tyres, took the ice speed record in Finland, clocking a top speed of 206.05 mph (331.61 km/h) in freezing conditions.
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