If the shoe fits… drive it! Clog-shaped car breaks speed record after flying over 70 mph

Some boots are made for walking – but this clog was made for the racetrack.

Though these traditional wooden shoes may be a common sight while wandering around the Netherlands, in 2024, a group of Dutch TV professionals teamed up with record holder Kevin Nicks (UK) to create the fastest motorised clog shoe of all time.

Built around the frame of an electric go-kart, and decorated with a fiberglass and polyester shoe-shaped shell, the clog reached a top speed of 112.74 km/h (70.05 mph) while whizzing around Breda International Airport on 4 April.

Driven by Dutch TV presenter Klaas van Kruistum (Netherlands) – who found fame with his show Klaas Kan Alles (“Klaas Can Do Everything”) – this attempt was one of many races he’s completed within unorthodox cars. 

Over 11 seasons, Klaas was spotted behind the wheel of a multitude of record-breaking vehicles, including: the fastest garden shed, the fastest monowheel motorcycle, and the largest tetrapod exoskeleton. And as such, when his producers were preparing content for his decennial episodes, they decided that it was finally time for him to set his own speed record.

Thus, enter – the clog.

Taking their idea to the creator of the fastest garden shed, Kevin Nicks, the group devised a playful creation that would offer a unique twist on Dutch culture’s famous footwear. 

They then turned their dreams into reality by working with a team of carnival float builders, who were able to assemble the vehicle out of a motorised kart frame and layers of fiberglass, chicken wire, and polyester. 

Read more stories about record-breaking vehicles in our dedicated Science and Technology section!

Finally, on 4 April, they were ready to take the clog out for a spin… and hopefully make their record-breaking wishes official, by inviting Guinness World Records Adjudicator Glenn Pollard out to witness the race.

And despite the strong winds and intermittent rain that day at Breda International Airport, the team was determined to the highest possible speeds.

Employing a professional speed timing official, they set up two timed lights that would flash at the start and end of the 100 m (328 ft) course. Klaas would then complete three runs in the clog, during which they would clock how fast he was going, and take the highest number from the attempts.

Dressed head-to-toe in racing gear, including a thick helmet, Klaas looked precisely like a professional racer – until he stepped foot inside the shoe.

Yet regardless of his comical look, you can’t argue with speed. 

And as he clocked in at 82.51 km/h (51.27 mph), 112.74 km/h (70.05 mph), and 112.54 km/h (69.93 mph) during each of his laps, the crowd of witnesses got progressively more excited as they realized they were about to take the record.

Just call him Michael Shoe-macher!

After completing his third run, Klaas was clearly overjoyed with the experience – throwing his arms up into the air as Glenn approached him with an official Guinness World Records certificate.

Sharing a sweet moment with everyone who worked on his show and the clog-car, Klaas said: “Following your curiosity, even though it may be exciting, leads to great adventures! 

“I'm proud of this record and hope it inspires people to keep exploring.”

So congratulations to everyone who helped Klaas make shoe-story  – you are Officially Amazing!