Nissan Leaf Attempting to Set Guinness World Record in Reverse

NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
6957 photos
12 videos
will attempt to set two records at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The first is to break the Guinness Record for a car in reverse with a LeafNissan LEAFJapan, 2009 > present4 photos
up the hill at Goodwood over one mile. Because the electric car has a single-speed transmission, theoretically it will go just as fast backwards as forwards. The other record is a Goodwood course record for an electric car with the Leaf Nismo RC. The Goodwood hill is 1.16 miles long. 

The Leaf has a basically neutral weight distribution because its batteries are located beneath the floor. Granted, with the driver and front electric motor most of the weight are over the front wheels, which will be in the rear in this case. It should help off-the-line traction though. 

Professional stunt driver Terry Grant will be driving the car. 

"It's a hugely technical test of speed and concentration. But despite the risks, the strength and integrity of Nissan Leaf's design gives me confidence. Whatever happens, I know I'm going to finish the weekend with a serious crick in my neck," said Grant.

The stunt is part of Nissan's The Big Turn On campaign that is promoting the Leaf and electric vehicles in general across Europe. 

The Leaf Nismo RCNissan Leaf Nismo RCJapan, 2011 > present6 photos
1 video
will also be at the hill climb attempting to set a course record for fastest electric car. It will be driven  forwards, though. That car will be driven by Michael Krumm who drives for Nissan in the Super GT series and drove the DeltawingNissan DeltaWingJapan, 2012 > present19 photos
3 videos
at Le Mans.