John Cobb breaks Brooklands lap record . Mr John Cobb , driving the 400 hp Napier Railton car , broke the Brooklands lap record . Since the late Sir Henry Birkin put the figure up to 137 . 96 mph with his Bentley two years ago , this most coveted of the Brooklands records has eluded other drivers . Photo shows , Mr John Cobb being cheered after breaking the record . 2 April 1934 30s, 30's, 1930s, 1930's, thirties, nineteen thirties