TV host Zef Eisenberg dies while trying to break British land speed record

British TV host Zef Eisenberg died while trying to break the British land speed record at an airfield in the UK.

Police confirmed that Eisenberg was driving a Porsche 911 Turbo S car at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire, northern England when he lost control of the vehicle.

He had been trying to break the British land speed record for a vehicle — 207.6mph that was earlier achieved by racer Tony Densham in 1970.

He has earlier performed numerous stunts, including high-speed drives. National governing body UK Motorsport said after his death that the 47-year-old has also set various speed records on bikes, cars, and quad bikes.

North Yorkshire Police reported on Friday that they were called to the scene shortly after 4:30 p.m. the previous day.

“The incident occurred during a British Land Speed record attempt and the driver, 47-year-old Zef Eisenberg tragically died at the scene,” police said.

Motorsport UK said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened” and would investigate the cause of the accident.

“Zef, aged 47, was a Guernsey-based businessman, television presenter, and a much-loved member of the motorsport community. An ultra-speed motorbike racer, he achieved numerous land speed records for motorbike and car,” the group said.

The statement continued, “Over the past decade, Zef amassed over 70 British, World, UKTA, ACU and Guinness speed records with bikes, cars, and quads. In May 2019, he received the Simms Medal in honor of his outstanding contribution to motoring innovation by the Royal Automobile Club.

“Zef leaves behind his partner Mirella D’Antonio and two children.”

Eisenberg had achieved a world record in 2015 for reaching speeds of 225 mph on a turbine-powered motorbike. He was also involved in a life-threatening crash at the airfield in 2016.