- Record-breaking RC car hit 234.7 mph in February using drone-powered transmission
- Project 250 redesign focuses on narrowing the chassis and increasing electrical power
- The engineer aims to beat the current world record with improved motors and higher voltage
Stephen Wallis, a part-time motorcycle engineer from Rugby, UK, set a Guinness World Record in February 2026 when his remote-controlled car reached 234.7 mph, and he’s already working on a redesigned machine built to go beyond 250 mph.
The record-breaking vehicle, known as The Beast, measures 3 feet 2 inches long, approximately 1 m, and took more than a year to design and build using 3D-printed components and high-powered drone engines.
Four motors are bolted directly to the wheels, which connect directly to the chassis to reduce mechanical losses and keep the transmission simple at very high speeds.
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A slightly ridiculous goal: 400 km/h
Wallis said his interest in radio-controlled cars stems from his childhood. “This goes back to when I was eight years old and bought my first radio-controlled car,” Wallis told the bbc.
The Beast’s recorded final speed put the small vehicle ahead of the top speed of a production McLaren F1, offering a useful comparison with a well-known performance benchmark.
Reaching 240 mph had been a private goal during the original project, although its attention has now turned to an even more demanding goal.
In a recent video update, Wallis explained how he is rebuilding the car to reach higher speeds and break his own record.
“Today I’m going to show you exactly how I’m evolving my RC car to beat my Guinness World Record of 234.7 mph and chase a slightly ridiculous goal: 250,” he said.
The new build, known as Project 250, maintains the general design of The Beast while introducing several mechanical and electrical improvements.
Reducing the overall width is a key change, as a narrower body reduces drag and helps maintain stability at higher speeds.
Larger 5215 motors are also being introduced to deliver more torque and manage heat more effectively under heavy loads. Battery capacity is also increasing, with an additional two-cell unit bringing the system up to a 20-cell, 84V configuration.
“I have ideas: make it narrower, put bigger motors and use more voltage. Now I need to turn those ideas into a real design,” he said.
Changes to the wheel mounting and steering components were required to achieve a narrower design, including revised adapters that place the wheel closer to the face of the engine.
Balancing weight is another challenge, as changing batteries and electronics can change the car’s behavior at extreme speeds.
“I need to design a car capable of reaching 400 km/h and build it in time for the next speedrun season, which starts in 8 weeks,” he said.
Prototype parts have already been produced using 3D printing to confirm fit and design, and the final components will be made from aluminum and carbon fibre.
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