- Record-setting RC car hit 234.7 mph in February using drone-powered powertrain
- The Project 250 redesign focuses on narrowing the chassis and increasing electrical output
- The engineer aims to surpass the current world record with upgraded engines 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 km/h, and he is already working on a redesigned machine built to go over 250 km/h.
The record-setting vehicle, known as The Beast, measures 3ft 2in long, around 1m, and took more than a year to design and build using 3D-printed components and high-powered drone motors.
Four motors are bolted directly to the wheels, which connect directly to the chassis to reduce mechanical losses and keep the driveline simple at very high speeds.
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A slightly ridiculous goal: 250 mph
Wallis said his interest in radio-controlled cars dates back to his childhood. “It goes back to when I was eight years old and got my first radio-controlled car,” Wallis said BBC.
The final recorded speed of The Beast placed the little vehicle ahead of the top speed of a production McLaren F1, providing a useful comparison with a well-known performance benchmark.
Reaching 240 km/h had been a private goal during the original project, although his attention has now shifted to an even more demanding goal.
In a recent video update, Wallis explained how he rebuilds the car to chase higher speeds and beat his own record.
“Today I’m going to show you exactly how I develop 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, retains the general layout of The Beast while introducing several mechanical and electrical upgrades.
Reducing the overall width is an important change, as narrower bodywork reduces drag and helps maintain stability at higher speeds.
Larger 5215 motors are also being introduced to deliver more torque and manage heat more efficiently under heavy loads. Battery capacity is also increased, with an additional two-cell unit raising the system to a 20-cell, 84V setup.
“I have ideas: Make it narrower, fit bigger engines, and run more excitement. Now I have to turn those ideas into a real design,” he said.
Changes to wheel mounting and steering components were required to achieve the narrower layout, including revised adapters that place the wheel closer to the face of the engine.
Weight balance is another challenge, as changing batteries and electronics can change how the car behaves at extreme speeds.
“I need to design a car that can do 250km/h and build it in time for the next speedrun season which starts in 8 weeks,” he said.
Prototype parts have already been manufactured using 3D printing to confirm fit and layout, and the final components will be made from aluminum and carbon fiber.
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