Hornsted was the first man to hold the land speed
record under the new two-way run rule which had been
introduced, and that is why he was credited with
the record although his speed was lower than Oldfield's
one-way run four years earlier.
He was also the last man to try before the first
world war put a stop to Motor sport for five years
or so. He is also credited in some quarters as being
the first man to make a mile record officially recognised
by the international ruling body of the day, the
A.I.A.C.R.
At Brooklands he drove a huge Benz of 21,504 cc.,
similar to the car used by Oldfield. Hornsted covered
the flying mile at 128.16 mph. one way and 120.28
in the other direction, showing how much effect wind
and gradient could have.
Earlier the same day Hornsted
had attacked the one-hour record in his 32-cwt chain-driven
monster, but a tyre came off on the sixth lap and
hit him on the arm. He then decided to go for the
mile record rather than the hour.
He had previously attempted the standing-start mile,
but the huge four-cylinder engine had too much power
for the clutch, which slipped so badly that a serious
attempt was ruled out.
