Chasing 800
Kiwi legend Reg Cook, 80 yrs, is chasing 800 kph in a shed-built streamliner. No corporate backing. Just Kiwi grit. Come be part of history.
Auckland
An 80-year-old man (80 in a few weeks) from Clevedon is about to attempt something no human being has ever done. Reg Cook wants to drive faster than 800 kilometres per hour in a car he built in his shed.
Not a factory. Not a multimillion-dollar motorsport facility. A shed in Clevedon — where Reg and his team have hand-built Wairua 2: a 1.7-tonne streamliner powered by an 8-litre twin-turbo Big Block Chev V8, designed from scratch with Kiwi ingenuity and an absolute refusal to think small.
The current FIA world record for a piston-powered, wheel-driven car sits at 758 km/h. No one has ever crossed 800 kph. If Reg does it, he will be the first person in history. He's not putting his life on the line for the glory or the record. He wants to showcase what Kiwis can achieve when they strive for their absolute best!
In 2025 at the Uyuni Salt Flat — the only place on Earth long enough to attempt this — Wairua 2 hit 496 km/h on just 40% throttle. The car is ready. It has unfinished business!
Reg has sold much of what he owns to fund this dream.
More than 60 volunteers pay their own way to Bolivia and give their time for nothing. But we have over 200k of logistics to cover: Freight, shipping, Customs, permits, Track Prep, Accomodation, FIA officials, local appliances(Fire,Ambulance), cranes( to offload and uplight containers - no hiab trucks in Bolivia, Fuel, team transport to and from Site, Marshals and so much more.
Every dollar makes you part of the team.
Come along for the ride.
Cook Motor Racing's involvement (page creator)
I am the volunteer Communications Lead for the CMR Team
Use of funds
Track preparation, FIA safety compliance, permits, freight, fuel, and accommodation
Other page links
Latest update
Done and Dusted 30 October 2026
Reg's last Run is now over!
We didn't get the 'big one' we went for, but given the Fuel didn't arrive until the day after our event - it is a miracle we are coming home with anything - let alone another new world landspeed record.
The way team from all over the world came together & performed daily miracles was exceptional. All team members rose to the challenge 2 B the best that they could be and give 120 %.
Because of the continual delays many team had to leave before we were able to finish what we came to do. The way the remaining team stepped up in response - was truly Inspirational
CMR Compound 2026 design & functionality was absolutely fantastic.
When Wairua 2 DID run it proved it had the ability to easily reach 800 Kph if it could complete the run - even at reduced power.
Wairua 2 achieved speeds of 550 Kph EASILY but sadly was never able to complete a full run.
BUT
Overall design - worked very well.
Incredibly Aerodynamic. Rolling friction amazingly low.
All systems worked as expected.
Overall Gearbox Trans axle concept design. Most of gearbox Trans Axle worked perfectly. But sadly we have had multiple minor gear selection problems & failures.
Whoever owns W2 next will crack that record for sure.
The Team are proud to come home with a new 2000cc Streamliner World record with Wairua1.
Final pack up and then home to liquidate everything to pay for this outrageous and incredibly expensive adventure.
Thank you so very much for all your support.
Latest donations
Thank you so much Jim. Very generous of you. Really appreciate your contribution to our debt recovery.
Thanks so much Brandon and Courtney. Very grateful for your support.
Thanks so much Bryan and Lauren. Appreciate your support very much.
Thanks for your support Andre
Thanks Jon. Appreciate your support. Glad we were able to come back with one world record at least. Not the big one but one at any rate.
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