Video: McMurtry Spéirling obliterates opposition at Laguna Seca hillclimb

15th August 2024

Russell Campbell

One of Goodwood’s favourites, the McMurtry Spéirling, has mullered another record with a 21.958-second run at the little known Corkscew Hill Climb at Laguna Seca, a sideshow to the main event on Saturday. The Spéirling fan-car makes an impassioned argument for why 2,000kg (constant) downforce and more horsepower than you can count maketh a good hill climb car, shrieking up the severe gradients like a scalded banshee.

Numbers aren’t required to understand that the McMurtry’s run is quick. Accelerating like a passing bullet train, all too soon the first corner is upon us, regular keeper of the keys, Max Chilton, locking his left wheel into the turn.

Sawing the steering on exit it’s time for another burst of pure adrenaline as the McMurtrey launches itself towards the horizon and into a drama-free turn two, we’re deep in turn three while most people’s brains are still processing the first and, split seconds later, it’s over and a record is set.

For point of reference, the next fastest car – a 1967 Ford Falcon – was eight seconds slower, and even last year’s record holder, a 1976 Lotus Type 77 F1 car's 34.690-second run, couldn’t touch the Spéirling.

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