The truck was not modified in any way for additional power or enhanced aerodynamics.
Gaughan posted a two-lap, both-directions average speed of 154.587 mph on the 4.71-mile oval at the DaimlerChrysler Proving Grounds in Chelsea, Michigan. The truck's record run was certified by Guinness World Records and the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). The previous record was 147.54 mph, set in July of 2003 by the Ford SVT F-150 Lightning.
Guinness required the record speed to be the average of two one-kilometer runs in opposite directions along the same track, made within an hour of one another. The timing equipment had to be certified as accurate to within 1/1000th of a second, and supplied and operated by a qualified third party. The speed of each run was timed by means of sensors at the start and finish of the measured kilometer, thus giving an average speed over the full distance.
Here's what Brendan Gaughan told the press:
- "I've certainly driven some fast trucks," but I've certainly never experienced anything like setting a Guinness world record. I've known for a long time that the Dodge Ram is the ultimate truck for the race track, and this certainly proves the Ram SRT-10 is the ultimate performance truck for the street."
Hein Le Roux, research team member at Guinness World Records, said watching the record-setting speed run was a great way to begin the new year, in which Guinness World Records celebrates 50 years of world records.
After setting the record, the stock Dodge Ram SRT-10 headed to Florida, where it paced the field at the Feb. 13 Florida Dodge Dealers 250 NCTS race at Daytona International Speedway.
Source: DaimlerChrysler Media