The World’s Fastest “Tank”

'Secret Weapon' just went 208 mph.
www.thedrive.com

As you would expect from a secret weapon, this one hails from Washington (state), and Saturday, the Secret Weapon jet-powered tank went 208.24 mph in the quarter-mile, at 7.9215 seconds, at the IHRA Mopar Rocky Mountain Nationals at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta.

It’s powered by a 17,000-horspower Westinghouse J-34 jet engine. Apparently the cannon doesn’t work so well, but who can aim at 200 mph?

It was racing Mater, a jet-powered tow truck inspired by the Larry The Cable Guy-voiced vehicle from the movie “Cars.” No, we aren’t making this up, and it would actually be easier if we were.

Steve Cole Smith

Weekend Editor

The Drive's resident Florida Man, Steve is a veteran motorsports and automotive journalist who's had staff roles and bylines at numerous publications including Autoweek, Automobile, Road & Track, Car and Driver and more. A native of Memphis, he now lives in the Sunshine State with his wife and multiple cats.