With 3.15 inches to spare, this is officially the world’s tightest parallel park

By Andrew Hard November 24, 2014

Most people agree that for something to be a sport, it must be both athletic and competitive. I’m not sure parallel parking qualifies, but if solo synchronized swimming can make it to the Olympics, competitive parking can too.

If that ever happens, a Chinese stunt driver named Han Yue has a great shot to win the gold.

At the 2014 China Drift Championship held in Chongqing, Yue slid into the history books by parallel parking a MINI 3-door Hatch between two others just like it. When it was all said and done, there were only 3.15 inches of room in total to spare.

A video of the feat has been posted by Guinness World Records, which includes Yue’s test run before the final attempt. To break the record, Yue races toward the opening at a comfortable speed, then engages the emergency brake, whipping the MINI into place without a scratch. After the dust settled, not even the tape used to measure the gap would fit between the MINIs.

Han-Yue-parallel-parking-record-2 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Afterward, Yue’s team materialized around him to throw him in the air, which was probably the most athletic thing to happen all day.

From the looks of his jumpsuit, Yue is sponsored by Red Bull, who will hopefully provide the wings it’ll take to get out of that spot.

The previous record was an impressive 3.38 inches, set last year by an Englishman named Alistair Moffat. Moffat was more accurate than the 2012 measure of 5.9 inches, set by none other than Han Yue himself.

His technique is undeniably impressive, but amateur motorists take note: this type of maneuver will probably put an end to your driver’s test pretty quick.

Editors' Recommendations

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?

The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.