Maserati? Ferrari? Lawn Mower?

The machine will have to be heavily modified before it can reach 100mph. But no matter how many tweaks and modifications are made, in order to qualify for the record it will still need to be able to cut grass.

Don Wales hopes to add at least 20mph to the record set by an American lawnmower enthusiast, Bob Cleveland, who coaxed his machine to an eye-watering 80.793mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats three years ago.

The latest British world speed record attempt does have one advantage over an Italian supercar it can also mow the lawn.

Just as one British team is preparing to hit 1,000mph in a rocket-powered car, an attempt on another, slightly more sedate, world speed record was announced today.

Although Wales' mower is named Project Runningblade. Unveiled at the national Motor Museum at Beaulieu, it is a top of the range model, in its production form the top speed of its 26 hp Kawasaki engine is just ten miles an hour.