Russian driver Andrey Leontyev, 18-time record holder at the Days of Speed on Baikal Ice, shares his experience of setting the latest high-speed record set on ice. Reaching a top speed of 298km/h and an average speed from a standing start of 114km/h across the 1000m distance, he says the 650hp Lamborghini Urus demonstrated exceptional performance and handling despite reduced traction and strong wind
Setting records on ice is not just fun and exciting: it also represents an important contribution to automotive engineering. As Leontyev says, “We’re like an off-grid test lab. Automotive engineers can see how their products behave when pushed to the limit on a surface that is 10-times more slippery than asphalt in torrential rain. Which means, if you manage to stay in control of a vehicle that’s racing at 300km/h over natural uneven ice, jumping over bumps with the suspension constantly being pushed to the limit, then driving a car on wet or icy asphalt at 90km/h doesn’t seem like that big of a deal.
“The techniques you develop under extreme conditions can be easily applied in day-to-day life, making driving safer, simpler, and more fun. Modern car designers and engineers make every effort to ensure that vehicles are as safe as possible, while still letting people really enjoy the experience of driving. And the joy of driving is not something I’m willing to give up.”
