Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Tony Fox "Proud American" and "Bonneville Boss" Rocket Truck]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/08/the-tony-fox-proud-american-and-bonneville-boss-rocket-truck/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/08/the-tony-fox-proud-american-and-bonneville-boss-rocket-truck/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/08/the-tony-fox-proud-american-and-bonneville-boss-rocket-truck/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Proud American and Bonneville Boss - Click above for high-res image gallery

Before our favorite weekly Southern California car gathering this Saturday, we had been told by a friend that he'd be bringing his new rocket truck. Rocket truck? What the heck's a rocket truck? Visions of rocket-powered pickups and semis running the quarter mile immediately came to mind. Did some drag racer sell Tom his race truck? Is that what he was bringing to the show?

As soon as we came around the corner we knew he hadn't. We knew this with absolute certainty because we saw a giant nosecone towering above the treeline. There was, in fact, a rocket-powered land speed record (LSR) car positioned at a launch-worthy angle atop a most amazing truck. Rocket, truck... Rocket truck. Makes sense now. But what was this thing and where did it come from? You can read the whole wacky story after the jump.


Gallery: Tony Fox "Proud American" and "Bonneville Boss"


Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading The Tony Fox "Proud American" and "Bonneville Boss" Rocket Truck

The Tony Fox "Proud American" and "Bonneville Boss" Rocket Truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BonnevilleBonneville Bossbonneville salt flatsbonneville speed recordbonneville speed weekBonnevilleBossBonnevilleSaltFlatsBonnevilleSpeedRecordBonnevilleSpeedWeekcars and coffeecars coffeeCarsAndCoffeeCarsCoffeecustom truckCustomTruckDean MoonDeanMoonhaulerhydrogen peroxideHydrogenPeroxideKy MichaelsonKyMichaelsonland speed recordland speed record carLandSpeedRecordLandSpeedRecordCarLSRLSR carLsrCarProud AmericanProudAmericanrocket carRocketCarTony FoxTonyFoxtransporttruckSun, 08 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Cadillac-powered Spectre SpeedLiner sets world record for gas-powered, wheel-driven vehicles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/video-cadillac-powered-spectre-speedliner-sets-world-record-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/video-cadillac-powered-spectre-speedliner-sets-world-record-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/video-cadillac-powered-spectre-speedliner-sets-world-record-for/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to watch the videos after the jump

Different automakers seek out different bragging. The same goes for tuning houses. The bogey in question may be the quickest lap time around a given race track (usually the Nürburgring), a particular horsepower figure, a performance benchmark, or, in some cases, a world land speed record. That's what Spectre Performance was after with their SpeedLiner, and that's what they got. Well, one category of LSR, anyway.

The Spectre SpeedLiner is a purpose-built speed record car powered by a custom Cadillac V8 measuring 529 cubic inches (8.8 liters) in capacity, boosted by a pair of intercooled 88mm turbochargers, custom forged rods, solid roller cam, ported heads and oversized valves. The result is somewhere near 2000 horsepower, give or take. And on Sunday, the SpeedLiner clocked a 330.7 mph top speed on the Bonneville Salt Flats, claiming the record for the fastest wheel-driven, gasoline powered vehicle in the world.

Reports indicate that Spectre is looking to hit 400 mph, so this may very well not be the last we've heard from the SpeedLiner. In the meantime, you can check out a trio of videos after the jump.

[Source: SpectrePerformance via Auto-Focus.us]

Continue reading VIDEO: Cadillac-powered Spectre SpeedLiner sets world record for gas-powered, wheel-driven vehicles

VIDEO: Cadillac-powered Spectre SpeedLiner sets world record for gas-powered, wheel-driven vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonnevilleBonneville Race Weekbonneville salt flatsbonneville speed recordbonneville speed weekBonnevilleRaceWeekBonnevilleSaltFlatsBonnevilleSpeedRecordBonnevilleSpeedWeekland speed recordLandSpeedRecordLSRsalt flatsSaltFlatsspectrespectre performancespectre speed linerSpectrePerformanceSpectreSpeedLinerspeed linerSpeedLinerworld recordWorldRecordMon, 12 Oct 2009 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit 2009: Faster Pussycat - Jaguar XFR pounces on Bonneville, hits 225 mph!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-faster-pussycat-jaguar-xfr-pounces-on-bonneville/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-faster-pussycat-jaguar-xfr-pounces-on-bonneville/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-faster-pussycat-jaguar-xfr-pounces-on-bonneville/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for high-res image gallery of the Jaguar XFR Bonneville car

In its spare time while reinventing the company and settling in with a new owner, Jaguar's boffins somehow found time to take their new XFR to the Bonneville Salt Flats for a top speed run last November.

The Paul Gentilozzi-driven XFR had been modified with the appropriate safety gear (roll cage, fire suppression system, etc.), along with a sizable low-mounted rear spoiler and a derestricted ECU that allowed the supercharger to yield around 600 horsepower thanks to a bit more boost. So-equipped, the 503-horsepower sedan blew through the double-ton to top out at 225.675 miles-per-hour, solidly trouncing the previous Jaguar land speed record of 217.1 mph set by an XJ220 at Nardo back in 1992 with Martin Brundle at the wheel. For reference, the standard XFR is electronically limited to 155 mph.

Incredibly, the Bonneville run was completed on stock Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires, and the Rocketsports-prepared XFR was still registering a bit of wheelspin at that speed. Check out the high-res, high-speed gallery below and the press release after the jump.

UPDATE: Video of the XFR in Bonneville added after the jump.

Gallery: Jaguar XFR Bonneville Salt Flats Racer


Gallery: Detroit 2009: Jaguar XFR Bonneville Salt Flats Racer


Live photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Jaguar]

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Faster Pussycat - Jaguar XFR pounces on Bonneville, hits 225 mph!

Detroit 2009: Faster Pussycat - Jaguar XFR pounces on Bonneville, hits 225 mph! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>200 MPH200Mphbonnevillebonneville salt flatsbonneville speed weekBonnevilleSaltFlatsBonnevilleSpeedWeekdry lake bedDryLakeBedfour door coupeFourDoorCoupeJagJaguarLSRtop speedTopSpeedXFXFRMon, 12 Jan 2009 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorcyclist dies attempting land speed record on Salt Flats]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/08/motorcyclist-dies-attempting-land-speed-record-on-salt-flats/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/08/motorcyclist-dies-attempting-land-speed-record-on-salt-flats/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/08/motorcyclist-dies-attempting-land-speed-record-on-salt-flats/#commentsFiled under:


Tragedy struck the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah last week when 47-year-old Cliff Gullett, of Team Bullet Costella-Gullett Racing, lost control of his bike at nearly 240 mph. Gullett, an experienced racer who held nearly a dozen land speed records on motorcycles, was competing in the 500cc class (two-stroke, two-cylinder) riding the Costella-Gullett Motorcycle Streamliner. He crashed after completing his return run -- the record is pending ratification by the governing racing bodies. A memorial service will be held next Saturday in his hometown of Bozeman, Montana. Our condolences are extended to the entire Gullett family including his wife, son, and daughter. Our appreciation to 3seriesisking for alerting us to the sad news.

[Source: Yahoo! Sports, Photo by Team Bullet]

Motorcyclist dies attempting land speed record on Salt Flats originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This year's Goodwood Festival of Speed will take place June 22-24. We're excited to report that we will have people on hand for this amazing weekend of historic racing demonstrations and we're looking forward to getting lots of pics to share with all of you. With this year's theme being, 'Spark of Genius - Breaking Records, Pushing Boundaries', it should be an extra special year. And the Festival organizers have just released info about another special gathering being held on the adjacent cricket grounds this year. Instead of the usual manicured green lawn, visitors will find a field of white. White like the salt at the Bonneville Salt Flats. historic vehicles from the Bonneville Speed Week will be displayed on the lawn during the Festival weekend, some of them making it out of the States for the first time ever.

Cars will include the 1960 Challenger 1, The Blue Flame, early Ford Coupes, speed record MGs, and the JCB DieselMax that is still breaking records. A dozen or so of these famous Bonneville racers should be on hand for the gathering. Al Teague will be making his first visit to the Festival with his famous Spirit of 76 as well. The 1949 SoCal belly-tank, that was able to crank out a 198mph pass will also be there. Not bad for a car made from a modified P38 fighter plane fuel tank. We can hardly wait until June.

[Source: Goodwood]

Continue reading Goodwood Festival of Salt

Goodwood Festival of Salt originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Al TeagueAlTeaguebonnevilleBonneville Speed WeekBonnevilleSpeedWeekChallenger 1Challenger1Goodwood Festival of SpeedGoodwoodFestivalOfSpeedJCB DieselmaxJcbDieselmaxSoCal belly-tankSocalBelly-tankSpirit of 76SpiritOf76The Blue FlameTheBlueFlameFri, 27 Apr 2007 10:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Brit team plans to break record with 200mph head of steam]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/11/brit-team-plans-to-break-record-with-200mph-head-of-steam/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/11/brit-team-plans-to-break-record-with-200mph-head-of-steam/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/11/brit-team-plans-to-break-record-with-200mph-head-of-steam/#commentsFiled under: ,



We never suspected the Brits would use boiling water for anything nobler than steeping tea, but it's full steam ahead for the British Steam Car Challenge project that is attempting to break the land-speed record for a steam-powered vehicle that has stood for over 100 years. According to a Telegraph article, a small group of would-be record breakers will head to South Africa's Northern Cape early next year where they will try to achieve 200mph in their steam-powere car, thus shattering the previous record 127.659mph that was set in 1906 by Fred Marriot's Stanley Steamer. A man named Bob Barber actually surpassed that mark in 1985 by clocking a 145.607mph pass, but then his steam-powered car burned to the ground. He was therefore unable to complete a return run, which is required by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) to qualify for a land speed record.

Read on after the jump...

[Source: The Telegraph via Jalopnik]

Continue reading Brit team plans to break record with 200mph head of steam

Brit team plans to break record with 200mph head of steam originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Oct 2006 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Annette GettyAnnetteGettyBob BarberBobBarberBonneville Speed WeekBonnevilleSpeedWeekBritish Steam Car ChallengeBritishSteamCarChallengeCharles Burnett IIICharlesBurnettIiiDr Glynne BowsherDrGlynneBowsherFIAFrank SwanstonFrankSwanstonFred MarriotFredMarriotland speed recordLandSpeedRecordLord Montagu of BeaulieuLordMontaguOfBeaulieulsrPDSStanley SteamerStanleySteamerTelegraphThrust SSCThrustSscWed, 11 Oct 2006 17:57:00 EST<![CDATA[JCB Dieselmax sets new diesel Bonneville speed record]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/19/jcb-dieselmax-sets-new-diesel-bonneville-speed-record/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/19/jcb-dieselmax-sets-new-diesel-bonneville-speed-record/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/19/jcb-dieselmax-sets-new-diesel-bonneville-speed-record/#commentsFiled under:



The JCB-sponsored, twin-engined Dieselmax streamliner set a new Bonneville Speed Week record for diesel-powered vehicles, with a two-run average speed of 317 mph.

Under the Southern California Timing Association (the Bonneville Speed Week sanctioning body) rules, breaking a record requires an average of two runs, which must be completed within 24 hours. The Dieselmax sped through the measured mile on Thursday at 308 mph, and then again Friday at 325 mph, for a record-setting 317 mph average.

The SCTA Speed Week is followed at the salt flats by the FIA-sanctioned speed trials, where the JCB team hopes to set an international land speed record. The more demanding FIA rules require two runs in the span of only an hour. The Dieselmax will be fitted with specially-prepared 750 hp JCB444-LSR "record" engines for the attempt.

[Source: JCB Dieselmax] Thanks for the tips, everyone!

JCB Dieselmax sets new diesel Bonneville speed record originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Aug 2006 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonnevillebonneville speed recordbonneville speed weekdieselmaxjcb dieselJcbDieselland speed recordsalt flatsSat, 19 Aug 2006 17:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Dodge Quad Cab pickup sets 224 mph record]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/17/dodge-quad-cab-pickup-sets-224-mph-record/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/17/dodge-quad-cab-pickup-sets-224-mph-record/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/17/dodge-quad-cab-pickup-sets-224-mph-record/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Aerodynamics? You don't need aero if you've got enough power, and in the case of this Dodge Ram, 930 hp did the trick at Bonneville Tuesday. The 5,500 lb Dodge Ram Quad Cab ran a two-run average of 224.08 mph, setting a new C/MP Bonneville Speed Week record that shattered the previous mark of 158 mph.

While the red and white Dodge looks a lot more aerodynamic than the stock version, it still has a frontal area of 32 sq. ft. (Imagine pushing an upright 4x8 sheet of plywood through the air at 224 mph...) Overcoming the truck's aerodynamic drag requires some serious power, and engine valvetrain specialists Jesel, Inc. came through with a 370 cu. in. Dodge NASCAR-type V8, fitted with dual four-barrel carburetors. Follow the link for more info.

[Source: Jesel] Thanks for the tip, Kyle!

Dodge Quad Cab pickup sets 224 mph record originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Aug 2006 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonnevillebonneville speed weekdodge ramjesel pickupland speed recordpickup speed recordThu, 17 Aug 2006 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[GM cars set records, crash at Bonneville Speed Week]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/gm-cars-set-records-crash-at-bonneville-speed-week/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/gm-cars-set-records-crash-at-bonneville-speed-week/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/gm-cars-set-records-crash-at-bonneville-speed-week/#commentsFiled under: , ,

General Motors reported mixed results on the salt flats Tuesday, with the day marred by a 250-mph crash of the Chevy So-Cal HHR (top, right).

So-Cal HHR driver and GM engineer Jim Minneker walked away from the HHR wreck, which happened after the car lost traction at nearly 250 mph when the parachute deployed. Minneker was on track to beat the G Class/Blown Fuel Competition Coupe record after hitting the long course speed traps at 246.686 mph (nearly 20 mph faster than the old record) before the crash.

On a brighter note, the So-Cal Speed Shop-built Chevy Cobalt SS (bottom, right) looks set to blow the doors off the G Class/Blown Fuel Altered Coupe record with a blistering 246.680 qualifying run. Driver Mark Dickens hopes to back up that run and break the Cobalt's previous record of 218.392 mph set two days ago. Meanwhile, the record-setting "Student Cobalt", also driven by Wickens, upped its G Class/Unblown Fuel Competition Coupe record to 163.608 mph, this time running its E85-fueled Ecotec with nitrous oxide injection, good for a 7 mph lift.

[Source: GM Performance Division, So-Cal Speed Shop]

GM cars set records, crash at Bonneville Speed Week originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Aug 2006 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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