Nissan barred from Goodwood record run

Goodwood officials halted a record-breaking speed attempt by Nissan this weekend over safety fears.

MSN Cars at Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Japanese manufacturer wanted to set the fastest time for a vehicle going up the Goodwood hill… backwards.

Nissan intended to attempt the run in the Nissan LEAF – which can travel at up to 90mph in reverse, thanks to the way its electric motor operates.

However, officials said a lack of testing prior to the event made it too risky, so Nissan was barred from attempting the run.

The firm is still determined to exploit the Nissan LEAF’s reverse-gear ability though, and said it hoped to break records with the LEAF. It will be testing the car at Goodwood this week, and possibly attempt the record run again next year.

“We still want to break records with the LEAF,” said a Nissan spokesman.

“The fact it can travel at speeds up to 90mph backwards is too good an opportunity not to exploit.

“The car does have to be modified for this to be possible though, so there are safety issues we need to overcome first.”