British driver breaks speed record for steam-powered car

One of the world's oldest speed records has gone up in smoke--or rather, steam.

Charles Burnett III drove a steam car to an average speed of 139.843 mph over two runs in California to beat the 103-year-old record of Fred Marriott.

Burnett peaked at 136.103 mph on the first run, then he accelerated to 151.085 mph on the second run less than an hour later. The run is still subject to certification by the FIA.

The British driver was well ahead of the mark of 127 mph set by Marriott, an American, in 1906. Burnett drove a 25-foot British Steam Car made from carbon fiber and aluminum, with a steel space-frame chassis. It had 12 boilers, and the steam was heated to 400 degrees Celsius.

Though fast, Burnett may not be the fastest ever. Another steam team recorded a 145.607-mph average in 1985, though it was not in an attempt to establish an FIA record.

By Greg Migliore