Idris Elba proves his 007 credentials by breaking 88-year-old land speed record… in a Bentley

Idris Elba: actor, musician, DJ and now the current UK land speed record holder for the Flying Mile.

Elba, who plays troubled detective John Luther in the hit BBC1 thriller, has broken a historic 88-year-old record while filming four-part Discovery TV series Idris Elba: No Limits. 

Driving a standard Bentley Continental GT Speed last Sunday on a beach in South Wales, the actor topped the Flying Mile record set by Sir Malcolm Campbell and his Napier-Campbell Blue Bird in 1927. He hit a top speed of 186.4 miles per hour, averaging 180.4 mph over the full mile and successfully breaking the existing record of 174.8 mph. 

A Flying Mile is when a car’s speed is timed between two points one mile apart from each other. The driver is allowed to get up to speed before entering the timed zone, and the test is run twice within an hour, once in each direction. The record was independently verified by the UK Timing Association.

“I’m absolutely elated to have broken the Flying Mile at Pendine Sands. It’s an honour to have taken on the challenge, and to successfully follow in the footsteps of the illustrious Sir Malcolm Campbell,” said Elba after setting the record. 

The subject of endless James Bond rumours, Elba’s latest endeavours have no doubt helped his case to become the next actor to fill 007’s shoes. One thing’s for sure, he would certainly excel in Bond’s high-speed chase scenes… 

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