Now that the 2009 World Finals are in the rear view mirror, it’s time to focus on our next goal: break our own record and the 400mph barrier. Having a red hat (200mph club) is a pretty exclusive thing. A blue hat (300mph club) puts you in an extremely exclusive club. But the 400mph club – let’s put it this way. According to the research dug up by our team land racing historian Josh Held, only NINE people in history have broken the 400mph barrier with a wheel-driven vehicle. So without further ado, here’s the list:
Piston Powered
John Cobb* Railton-Mobile Special FIA Records 1km-393.826mph 1M-394.196mph (9/16/1947 Bonneville) – 402mph one way reportedly, first 400mph pass EVER
Mickey Thompson – Challenger1 no records above 400 – 406.60mph one way (1960)
Bob Summers – Goldenrod broken FIA record 1M-409.978mph (11/12/1965 Bonneville)
Al Teague* - Teague Speed-O-Motive Streamliner FIA records 1km-425.050mph 1M-409.978mph (8/21/1991 Bonneville) SCTA record A-BFS – 409.986mph (8/91)
Nolan White – Autopower/Parts Peddler Streamliner broken SCTA record 413mph (Aug, 2002)
Tom Burkland* Burklands 411 Strealiner FIA record 1M-415.896mph (9/26/2008 Bonneville) SCTA record AA-BFS – 417.020mph (10/04)
George Poteet – FIA runs 1km-436 1M-435, no record above 400 (9/21/09)
Charles Nearburg – SCTA event AA-FS 402.955 exit, no record above 400 (10/09)
Turbine Powered
Donald Campbell* - Blue Bird FIA records 1km – 394.500mph 1M – 403.100mph (4/14/1964 Lac Sale Eyre, AUS)
Don Vesco* – Vesco Turbinator FIA records 1km – 458.196mph 1M – 458.444mph (10/18/2001 Bonneville) SCTA record cat 3-T – 427.832mph (8/99)
*indicates official record run
Turbinator’s Record Run: