--- title: "Watch a Homebuilt V12 Push a Land Speed Car to 244 MPH at 9,500 RPM" date: "2024-06-06" modified: "2024-06-07" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/watch-a-homebuilt-v12-push-a-land-speed-car-to-244-mph-at-9500-rpm" categories: - "News" --- # Watch a Homebuilt V12 Push a Land Speed Car to 244 MPH at 9,500 RPM ![]() *Greg Quirin* The feeling of accomplishment I have whenever I complete something as simple as a brake job is incredible. It's almost addictive knowing I did something with my brain and my hands. However, that feeling must pale in comparison to the utter elation felt by Pete Aardema, Kevin Braun, and Cal Rothe after they hit 244 mph with their homemade V12 engine, breaking an El Mirage Dry Lake Bed record. Aardema and Braun built this V12 engine specifically for breaking land speed records, making Rothe's 244-mph run the satisfying culmination of years' worth of work. Braun designed the block and cylinder head by buying old NASCAR and IndyCar engines, breaking them down, and studying their tech. It shows, as the 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 makes 920 horsepower and revs to an astonishing 9,500 rpm.[ I wrote a story on it last year ]()when I first learned about the project. The sound this sucker makes at full chat is like nothing else I've ever heard. It's raspy and exotic, like a supercar's engine, but there's also a deep, roundness to it. The only somewhat close comparison I can make off the top of my head is to the [McLaren F1](). That makes sense, though, because guess what kind of engine that has? A 6.1-liter, naturally aspirated V12. ![]() **Greg Quirin** Speaking of the McLaren F1, Aardema's and Braun's engine would make [Gordon Murray ]()proud because it revs like a true race car. Even at just half throttle, it jumps thousands of revs almost instantly, and easily breaks traction at the rear wheels. You can see Rothe attempting to hang onto the land speed racer as it squiggles and squirms well past 100 mph. It wasn't until about 150 mph when the car settled and Rothe was able to go full throttle. But Team Aardema Braun isn't done with this V12 just yet. The engine-building duo is working on adding nitrous in an attempt to hit 259 mph, breaking their own record. I bet they can do it—actually, scratch that. I know they can. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ-G6RBJD7U ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()