Pembrokeshire man breaks world record for fastest wheelbarrow

If you need your gardening done in a hurry, mechanic Dylan Phillips is your man to call.

He has just set a Guinness World Record for the fastest wheelbarrow after clocking speeds of 52mph (84km/h) during Straightliners Speed Week 2024 at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire.

He built the motorised contraption in his shed in Crymych, Pembrokeshire, and, when push came to shovel, smashed the previous record of 46mph (74km/h).

The 38-year-old said it felt “fun and surreal”.

Joined by his “proud but also slightly bemused” partner Emilie, Dylan completed two runs through a speed trap on the 100m course in the machine that’s part wheelbarrow, part scrap scooter.

He said: “It’s uncomfortable and it’s terrifying. Slowing down is the issue – it’s only got brakes at the front.

“Touch wood I’ve not come off it or had any mishaps with it, it’s just uncomfortable. It does leave you aching after a couple of runs because it’s got no suspension and it just rattles you to bits.

“I feel on top of the world. I mean it’s absolute nonsense really but it’s quite a nice feeling.”

Like many other madcap ideas, the plan to go for the world record was dreamed up in the pub.

“I’ve always just sort of built mad stuff,” said Dylan.

“I ended up building the wheelbarrow for fun. In a little practice run, messing about, I got 37 mph and then the question got asked if there was a land speed record for it.

“So it was just a case of finding out that the record existed and then deciding to actually do something with this idiotic thing that I’d built.”

After a few days of seeing superbikes, Aston Martins, Ferraris and McLarens, Dylan’s fellow motor enthusiasts were amused when his humble cart arrived at Speed Week.

“Everyone loves it – it’s so stupid. You can’t help but smile when you see it,” said Dylan.

He admits he might be on barrowed time until the record is broken, but Dylan said he can handle the challenge.

“At the moment I’m just happy with it as it is but that’s the thing with being an engineer – you start to dream bigger,” he said.

“I’d be over the moon to be honest, because it just encourages innovation and it would probably motivate me to go and try again and go faster.”