Nissan Leaf backs into the future at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Flashy supercars, far-fetched concepts and legendary racers both past and present seldom cross paths in the real world. But for close to two decades now the Goodwood Festival of Speed has played the pefect host to that very cause and in 2012, the line up was once again magnificent, with the 1.16 mile hill climb once again providing the perfect stage for outrageous motoring feats, significant public debuts and memorable drive parades of over 300 cars, motorcycles and everything else on wheels that could possibly keep a 185,000 plus strong attendance feel like they got their money’s worth.

But amidst the cheers, smoke and rubber laying performances that kept the buzz going for its world audience, the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed will be recorded in history books for one very special reason. And we have only Mr Terry Grant to thank for it.

A stunt driver by profession, Grant is no stranger to these southern parts and set a world record at last year’s festival driving a Nissan Juke up the hill on two wheels. He returned this year and did something equally if not even more extraordinary. This time behind the wheel of an all electric Nissan Leaf.

Covering the 1.6km distance in 1minute 37.02 seconds at an average speed of 35 km/h, Grant set another world record racing backwards up the hillclimb course in a Nissan Leaf. Having set the record on Friday, the opening day of the Festival, Terry went on to smash his time on Saturday and Sunday, shaving an amazing 26 seconds off Friday’s original time.

Giving more credit to the Leaf’s engineering rather than his exceptional skill behind the wheel Grant said, “I had a great car at my disposal – with direct drive from the electric motor to its wheels, the Nissan LEAF can, in theory, go as fast backwards as it can forwards There were times I wasn’t sure I was coming or going.  However, thanks to the LEAF’s low centre of gravity – the batteries are an integral part of the car’s floor – the car is extremely stable, no matter which direction it’s travelling. The only complaint I have is slight neck ache from constantly looking over my shoulder!”

The Nissan LEAF Reverse Record was just one of a number of Nissan highlights at the Festival. A race-prepared Nissan LEAF Nismo RC also raced against the clock, but in forward motion to set its very own hill record for electric vehicles.

Nissan’s ‘The Big Turn On’ social media-driven campaign has already achieved its goal of attaining one million EV consumers worldwide and the LEAF Reverse and Nismo RC Record performances at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed should be tell you why that’s no freak accident.