"Unlike most conventional vehicles, in which Reverse gear only allows low-speed maneuvers, the Nissan Leaf, if slightly modified, can be driven backwards at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour. That's why the Leaf, piloted by professional stunt driver Terry Grant, was the vehicle chosen to attempt a record-setting reverse hill climb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this past weekend.
Unfortunately, Goodwood officials halted Nissan's attempt, saying that lack of testing prior to the event made it too risky. A Nissan spokesman commented on the situation:
We still want to break records with the Leaf. The fact it can travel at speeds up to 90 mph 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.
The record-setting attempt - right up the famed Goodwood Hill - was to take place over this past Fourth of July weekend. The goal was for the Leaf to set the bar as the fastest vehicle to be driven up the hill climb course in Reverse.
Strangely, Goodwood officials don't see two-wheeling a Nissan Juke up the hill as excessively dangerous and allowed driver Terry Grant to attempt that."
Em: http://www.hybridsevolution.com/2011/07 ... -goodwood/