---
title: "The World’s Fastest “Tank”"
description: "'Secret Weapon' just went 208 mph."
date: "2016-07-17"
modified: "2016-07-17"
authors:
  - name: "Steve Cole Smith"
    job_title: "Weekend Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/steve-cole-smith"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/4452/the-worlds-fastest-tank"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Racing"
tags:
  - "WTF"
---

# The World’s Fastest “Tank”

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/archive-images/dsc_0818.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

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.

## Author
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.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/scolesmith>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/scolesmith>)