I'm glad it's not just me that just saw it as a question about gear ratios then

To be honest, all you need to do 200mph is a big enough cheque book and the right tuner. I can think of a few that could achieve it (and some that have of course). It's about having the money to spend, and the desire to spend it on chasing a number.

Rod's car is impressive for what it's done, but the only reason the record still stands is because no one else is really that interested in spending the money to beat it. Most people would rather go round tracks now than hit big speeds.