Who knew a hybrid could move so fast? Daredevil desert racer Brian Gillespie has lived to tell the tale after barrel-rolling his Honda hybrid at 300kmh during a dry-lake race in California.

Gillespie had been wowing spectators with his antics at a Land Speed Racing event when his car slid out of control, rolled and smashed into the ground.



But the vehicle's safety cage did its job and he was left with only a collapsed lung, a cut shin and bruising on his head, the New York Daily News reported.



The Hot Rods blog said it was "testament to safety measures" that Gillespie escaped alive.

Event organisers Southern California Timing Association said Gillespie was discharged from hospital after a week.