Who just went 345 mph

So you wanna know who just hit 345 mph? That'd be Aaron Finch. He was behind the wheel of a seriously modded 2025 Ford Mustang GTD, topping out at 345.2 mph (555.5 km/h) on the Highway 93 straightaway in Nevada. This was back on October 14, 2024. The Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) oversaw the whole thing. And yeah, it smashed the old record for a production-based coupe by more than 20 mph. No big deal.

What car was used to achieve 345 mph?

The car? A heavily modified 2025 Ford Mustang GTD. Under the hood, there's a twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V8 cranking out around 2,200 horsepower. They threw on a custom aero package, a sequential six-speed gearbox, and these special Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 3R tires rated for over 350 mph. This was all part of "Project 345" – a collab between Ford Performance and Roush Yates Engines. Pretty wild stuff.

How does this record compare to other speed records?

At 345 mph, this Mustang GTD is rubbing shoulders with purpose-built land-speed cars. To give you some perspective, the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport holds the production car record at 304.7 mph. The SSC Tuatara claimed 316.1 mph back in 2020. So the Mustang's 345 mph? That's faster than any street-legal car has ever officially run. Though, let's be real – it's not exactly a production vehicle with all those mods.

What modifications were made to the Mustang GTD?

To get to 345 mph, they had to go all out. Here's what they changed:

• Engine: Bigger twin-turbo setup with water-to-air intercoolers, upgraded fuel injectors, and a custom ECU tune. You know, the usual.
• Aer: Front splitter, rear diffuser, and a massive rear wing that generates over 3,000 pounds of downforce at speed. Keeps it planted.
• Transmission: Reinforced sequential gearbox with shorter ratios for high-speed acceleration. Shifts are brutal.
• Tires: Special Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 3R tires with a speed rating of 350+ mph and a bespoke tread pattern. Gotta have grip.
• Suspension: Lowered ride height and stiffer springs to reduce drag and improve stability. Every bit counts.

Where did the 345 mph run take place?

They did the run on a closed section of Highway 93 in rural Nevada. It's a 12-mile straight stretch that's pretty famous for land-speed record attempts. Why there? Smooth asphalt, minimal elevation changes, and low traffic. The SCTA certified the timing equipment – dual radar guns and GPS-based systems. Everything was official.

What challenges did the team face?

Honestly, it wasn't smooth sailing. High winds on the day kept causing delays. The car's cooling system had trouble managing engine temps at those sustained speeds – they actually had a mid-run engine shutdown on an earlier attempt. Tire integrity was another big worry. At 345 mph, the heat can cause delamination. So the crew used infrared tire temperature sensors to keep an eye on things in real time. Stressful stuff.

"The car was perfectly stable at 345 mph. The biggest challenge wasn't the speed itself, but the heat management and tire stress. We had to be absolutely certain every component could handle the load." — Aaron Finch, driver

What is the significance of this record?

This record shows what modified production platforms can do against purpose-built land-speed racers. It's also a huge flex for Ford Performance and Roush Yates – proving a Mustang, that iconic American muscle car, can hit speeds usually reserved for exotic hypercars. This run sets a new benchmark and could influence future production car design, especially in aerodynamics and tire tech. Who knows what's next?

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