Luge speed record

A man from West Sussex has claimed to have set a new world land-speed record for a jet-powered street luge. Joel King, 27, an IT worker from Bognor Regis, clocked an average speed of 112.7mph (181.4km/h) on a disused runway in Woodbridge, near Ipswich.

He described the luge as like a modified skateboard, on which he lies face up just 2in (5cm) off the ground. Mr King said his speed was recorded by an expert but still had to be verified by Guinness World Records officials.

A previous record of 98.5mph (158.5km/h) was set in America by Billy Copeland in 2001.

Mr King, nicknamed the Gravity King, had to abort his first attempt near Leicester last month because of engine problems.