If you have the need, the need for speed, the Texas Mile is the place you should be every October and March. It's an event that gathers auto enthusiasts from across the country to a straight, one-mile strip on an airport runway to test the limits of performance vehicles. Cars hitting 150 miles per hour and above are a common sight at this event. There are some years, however, where you'll get to see a vehicle top out at ridiculous speeds, and that's exactly what a Ford GT did, setting the world record by going 257.7 miles per hour in a one-mile stretch.

The GT was engineered and powered by performance car specialists Hennessey, smashing the previous Guinness World Record of 223 miles per hour, also set by a Ford GT in 2006. The twin-turbo GT, 5.4-liter V8 Accufab Racing engine boasted 34 psi of boost, and was all powered by a MoTeC engine management system. Consider this: a standard Ford GT can ratchet it up to 205 mph. At the half-mile marker, the Hennessey-powered GT hit 204 mpg, while also churning out an estimated horsepower of 2000, making the 550 hp on production GT models seem insignificant in comparison.

The most impressive part about the modified Ford GT setting a new world record? All it took was a simple parts swap out. To get the GT up to 257.7 mph, chief engineer Mark Heidaker replaced the supercharger engine with a twin-turbo, making the car faster, and able to produce at a more efficient rate while driver Sean Kennedy was at the wheel.

Setting a new standing mile world record doesn't satisfy Team Hennessey, however. They plan on going back and breaking their own mark at the next Texas Mile event in October.

Here at Lindsay Ford of Wheaton, we'll be sure to let you know if they do. While we don't have any GTs that can get up to 257.7 mph, we certainly have a wide array of efficient new Ford models, along with the iconic American performance vehicle, the Ford Mustang. Stop in during our regular business hours to discuss and compare models, specs, and arrange a test drive.