Pylon Racing Plane Speeds: Maximum Velocity and Regulations

The maximum recorded speed of a race plane in any category is 543.3 mph (874.38 km/h) obtained in 1939 by Fritz Wendel in the Messerschmitt Me 209 V1 plane, which was powered by a 1,550 hp Daimler Benz 601 engine and had a maximum operational ceiling of approximately 30,000 feet. Pylon racing planes, however, are required by the Air Race 1 organization to fly at a maximum speed of about 250 mph (400 km/h).