Joe Biden hits 190kmh in drag race in 1967 Corvette Stingray

US President Joe Biden has the need for speed and pushed his 1967 Corvette Stingray to 190kmh in a drag race.

US President Biden is burning rubber away from the midterm campaign trail.

The 79-year-old took his 1967 Corvette Stingray for a spin on an episode of CNBC’s “Jay Leno’s Garage” that aired Wednesday night.

Mr Biden’s green convertible, featuring a 350-horsepower V-8 engine and a four-speed manual transmission, was no match for Michael Powell’s more powerful automatic 2015 Stingray.

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Joe Biden pushes his Corvette to 190 kmh in a drag race against Colin Powell’s son. Picture: CNBC

Joe Biden was beaten off the line by Powell. Picture: CNBC

The president, clad in a navy blue Ralph Lauren polo, khakis and sunglasses, was beaten off the line at the James J. Rowley Secret Service training facility in Beltsville, Maryland, and never caught up, despite getting the classic car up to 190kmh (118 mph).

Mr Powell, the son of the late Secretary of State Colin Powell, avenged Mr Biden’s victory over the elder Powell in a similar drag race that aired on the program in 2016.

Joe Biden told the former host that the pristine hot rod holds special meaning for him. Picture: CNBC

Joe Biden was driving an updated model with 455 horsepower. Picture: CNBC

Mr Biden told the former “Tonight Show” host that the pristine hot rod holds special meaning for him.

“I was getting married in August of ’67. My dad didn’t have a lot of money but he ran the largest Chevrolet dealership in the state for years,” the president explained.

“So, there’s 75 people outside the dealership. We pull up, they spread. My dad says, ‘This is my wedding gift.’”

Mr Biden also got behind the wheel of an electrified 1978 Ford F-100, which he said was “quiet as hell,” and had “quicker response” than its gas-guzzling counterpart.

“This is the only time you get to drive,” Leno, 72, observed while riding shotgun in the truck.

“Yeah, it is,” the president said. “It’s the God’s truth, and I miss it.”

The program was a rare opportunity for Mr Biden to forget polls showing Democrats on course to lose the House of Representatives and Senate in the November 8 midterm elections.

This story was published by the New York Post and reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Joe Biden hits 190kmh in drag race in 1967 Corvette Stingray