Hapless tractor driver hit with 93mph speeding fine

A French winegrower has been accused of setting a world record of 93mph while speeding in his tractor.

This is despite his claims that his 30-year-old machine can only muster 19mph – on a downhill slope.

Belgian police claim Rémi Gervais, from Montagnac in southern France, was travelling 18mph above the 75mph speed limit – 12mph higher than the current official tractor speed world record.

See also: 11 biggest tractors of all time

Mr Gervais was flashed by a speed camera in Namur, Belgium – 625 miles from his home.

The alleged speedster told French newspaper Bleu Hérault: “I’ve never been to Belgium.”

He added: “I think I have more chance of winning the lottery [than reaching that speed]. Maybe my tractor can get into the record books.”

Cloned number plates 

The winegrower has contacted the Belgian police with photographic evidence of his innocence and hopes to get the case settled soon.

It is believed the likely cause of the incident was mistaken identity or cloned vehicle number plates.

The official tractor speed Guinness World Record was set by four-time World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen driving a specially tuned Valtra T234 on a Finnish airfield in February 2015.