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[Triumph and TAG Heuer honor Steve McQueen with special Bonneville]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/07/triumph-and-tag-heuer-honor-steve-mcqueen-with-special-bonnevill/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/07/triumph-and-tag-heuer-honor-steve-mcqueen-with-special-bonnevill/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/07/triumph-and-tag-heuer-honor-steve-mcqueen-with-special-bonnevill/#commentsFiled under: ,

Triumph Bonneville Heuer - Click above for high-res image gallery

Triumph and TAG Heuer have joined forces to create a one-of-a-kind Bonneville Heuer motorcycle. Inspired by Steve McQueen and the Porsche 917 K that the famous actor, racer and motorcycle rider piloted in the classic film Le Mans, the Bonneville Heuer is painted up in the classic Gulf Oil blue and orange scheme and will be used for promotional purposes.

McQueen famously wore a Heuer Monaco watch in the aforementioned silver screen race drama and was a renowned Triumph enthusiast. Says Neil Morley, Triumph's Head of Brand Communications:
We are delighted to play our part in this exciting project. The Triumph Bonneville and TAG Heuer Monaco are both timeless masterpieces, celebrating their respective 50th and 40th anniversaries this year. We also both have a natural connection with Steve McQueen, who famously wore a Monaco watch in the film Le Mans and was renowned for his love of our bikes, making this a very natural collaboration.
As much as we'd like to tell you this will be an optional color choice for the production Bonneville, that's not currently the case. If you like it as much as we do, perhaps a phone call to your local Triumph dealer is in order.


Gallery: Triumph Bonneville Heuer


[Source: Triumph]

Continue reading Triumph and TAG Heuer honor Steve McQueen with special Bonneville

Triumph and TAG Heuer honor Steve McQueen with special Bonneville originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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[Land Speed Record driver Barry Bryant dies in 200-mph crash at Bonneville]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/land-speed-record-driver-barry-bryant-dies-in-200mph-crash-at-bo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/land-speed-record-driver-barry-bryant-dies-in-200mph-crash-at-bo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/land-speed-record-driver-barry-bryant-dies-in-200mph-crash-at-bo/#commentsFiled under:

Barry Brant, third from left, posing with members of the Bryant family in front of the car he was driving during crash

Anyone familiar with land speed trials knows all too well the dangers inherent in pursuing new record-breaking speeds, and today we're saddened to report on the death of one Barry Bryant of Anderson, California.

According to sources, Bryant lost control of his car on Sunday afternoon during Speed Week while passing the five-mile marker on the Bonneville salt flats at 200 miles per hour. The car - called the Tom Thumb Special VII and partially visible in the Bryant family photo above - rolled multiple times, leaving a quarter-mile of debris and emergency crews to cut away at the car to remove the injured driver. Bryant was rushed to the Intermountain Medical Center some 120 miles away in Salt Lake City, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries before arriving there. Our thoughts are with the Bryant family.

[Source: Salt Lake Tribune | BryantAuto.com]

Land Speed Record driver Barry Bryant dies in 200-mph crash at Bonneville originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While surfing eBay Motors we came across item number 170293663976. It's a Mazda 323 GTX with only 7,814 original miles on it, which makes the $6,500 Buy It Now price seems reasonable. Long before the Subaru Impreza WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution became household names by offering turbocharged, all-wheel-drive, Japanese rally car goodness to the common man, there was a similar offering from Mazda. From 1988-89, Mazda buyers could go into their local dealership and order a turbocharged, intercooled, sixteen-valve, 132-hp Mazda 323 GTX. That might not seem so remarkable to people growing up in the era of the Mazdaspeed3, but back then it was quite extraordinary. The 323 GTX was built to help Mazda meet FIA homologation rules so Mazda could go rallying. Despite that attractive package, only about 1200 GTXs ended up in American garages, mainly because they were kind of expensive compared to the competition. A similarly quick 16-valve VW GTI cost about $1,000 less, for instance.

When you read the description for this particular listing, though, you realize this little Mazda has a few extras. For instance, this particular GTX has a roll cage. It also has some stickers on it. There are a ton of auxiliary gauges inside as well. Okay, it's a race car. Peering under the hood you see that the owner has made a few modifications to the engine bay: instead of the stock 132-horsepower four-banger, there resides a 1.5L race motor that pumps out more three times as much chutzpah. In fact, it puts out 425 hp, enough to push this little pocket rocket to a top speed of 177 miles-per-hour. And that figure is verified.

You see, this is a Bonneville class record holder. Based on the 1987 factory WRC model, Don Marsh's Patrick Motors, of Dublin, Ohio had Roger Mandeville of Mandeville Auto Tech in Spartanburg, S.C. do the build. It still holds the N/R SCCA Land Speed Record. As the description says, "The car is incredibly versatile. It could be used in Land Speed Racing, Drag Racing, Road Racing, Rallying, Drifting and Solo events as well." You could even change the gearing and try to crack 200 mph. One thing you might have trouble doing with it is getting it registered for the road. Those Goodyear LSR tires don't look to be D.O.T. approved, but what do we care? We love the idea of owning the fastest example of anything for just $6500. The bidding ends January 18 at 18:30:00 PST, so get on it.

Gallery: Bonneville Mazda 323 GTX


[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Deal of the Day: Mazda 323 GTX Bonneville Salt Flats LSR racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>323 GTX323Gtxbonnevillebonneville salt flatsBonnevilleSaltFlatsland speed recordLandSpeedRecordMazda 323Mazda 323 GTXMazda 323GTXMazda323Mazda323GtxFri, 16 Jan 2009 13:58:00 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[Oklahoma Dreamin': Mustang-lovin' corn-grower chases record with ethanol]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/04/oklahoma-dreamin-mustang-lovin-corn-grower-chases-record-with/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/04/oklahoma-dreamin-mustang-lovin-corn-grower-chases-record-with/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/04/oklahoma-dreamin-mustang-lovin-corn-grower-chases-record-with/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Brent Hajek loves racing cars and corn. The Oklahoma corn farmer is also the proprietor of a race car museum, and has managed to combine his two passions in an effort to set a new land speed record.

The idea came out of the record Ford set with a Mustang Mach 1 some 40 years ago. Hajek wanted to commemorate the event by returning to Bonneville, and even got the original record driver's son to pilot his modified S197 Mustang. The idea really gained steam - and support from FoMoCo - when Hajek and co. decided to go for the record using E85 bio-ethanol. They set a top speed of 252.78 mph, which will be a new record if and when they manage to replicate it so it can be etched into the books. In the meantime, Hajek is convinced the initiative will pave the way for Ford to produce an E85-powered Mustang straight from the factory, which may be the corniest Mustang dream we've heard yet. Follow the jump to watch the video.

[Source: NewsOK via AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading Oklahoma Dreamin': Mustang-lovin' corn-grower chases record with ethanol

Oklahoma Dreamin': Mustang-lovin' corn-grower chases record with ethanol originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of various streamliners


We're suckers for speed, so we jumped at the opportunity to attend a press conference for an upcoming top speed shootout on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Unlike the countless speed contests held at locations around the world each year, the Top 1 Oil World Land Speed Shootout is the first single competition originated to decide the fastest wheel-driven cars and motorcycles on the planet. With few rules to limit innovation, some amazingly fast machines will take to the salt at the inaugural event this September 22-26.

At the press conference held at World Class Motoring in Los Angeles, we were lucky enough to check out the Ack Attack motorcycle and Speed Demon car -- two of the fastest wheel-driven vehicles in the world (with top speeds approaching 400 mph). The sleek machines (aka "Streamliners") are much more sophisticated and technically innovative than their outward appearance would lead you to believe. Under their thin aluminum/composite skins are countless subsystems of hydraulics, electronics, powertrains, and safety equipment... all designed to fit within the tubular aerodynamic confines of each streamliner. Nestled deep within the belly of these awesome machines are the driver/riders who risk everything to set the next FIA/FIM-sanctioned record. While the missile-like fuselages were fascinating to look at, hanging out with the teams -- genuine, truly passionate about speed, and brilliant enough to design record holders -- was what left a lasting impression with us. Best of luck guys!

Gallery: 2008 Land Speed Shootout


[Source: Top 1 Oil]

Continue reading World Land Speed Shootout at Bonneville

World Land Speed Shootout at Bonneville originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonnevillebonneville salt flatsbonneville speed recordbonneville speed weekBonnevilleSaltFlatsBonnevilleSpeedRecordBonnevilleSpeedWeekBozemanCliff GullettCliffGullettcrashdeathMontanamotorcycleSalt FlatsSaltFlatsTeam BullettTeamBullettMon, 08 Sep 2008 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[World's Fastest Diesel Pickup controversy settled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/02/worlds-fastest-diesel-pickup-controversy-settled/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/02/worlds-fastest-diesel-pickup-controversy-settled/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/02/worlds-fastest-diesel-pickup-controversy-settled/#commentsFiled under:

The Great Pickup Controversy has been settled. It was reported last week that the Rocket Ranger, from SPAL USA, crossed the Bonneville Salt Flats at 215.091 miles per hour. In doing so, SPAL claimed it set the top speed world record for a pickup truck. However, back in 2002, Gale Banks Engineering's Project Sidewinder Dakota ran the flats at 217.306. So SPAL actually didn't get the world record, yet because of their 215+ run they now hold the national top speed title. Why? Because as in boxing, there are multiple bodies that ignore one another and crown their own champions. The FIA certifies world records, the Southern California Timing Association certifies national records, and neither body acknowledges the other's certifications. SPAL got its from the SCTA, Banks from the FIA. Banks has congratulated SPAL, but wants to unify the titles with its own run in the future. So it ain't over. Stay tuned.

[Source: PickupTruck.com]

World's Fastest Diesel Pickup controversy settled originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Sep 2007 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonnevillepickupsrecord holdersRecordHoldersrecordssalt flatsSaltFlatsSun, 02 Sep 2007 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford attempting land speed record with Fusion Hydrogen 999 Racer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/10/ford-attempting-land-speed-record-with-fusion-hydrogen-999-racer/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/10/ford-attempting-land-speed-record-with-fusion-hydrogen-999-racer/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/10/ford-attempting-land-speed-record-with-fusion-hydrogen-999-racer/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click above image for more high-res pics of Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 Racer

Ford thinks it's time to make hydrogen sexy. Capitalizing on its 10 years of hydrogen research expertise, the automaker is headed to the Bonneville Salt Flats in August to go for a few world land speed records with a hydrogen fuel cell-powered Ford Fusion. Actually, there will be two vehicles going to Bonneville. The Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 pictured above is a collaboration with Ballard, Roush and Ohio State University. It features a 770-hp electric motor and is going after the production-based fuel cell-powered vehicle title. We're not sure what the current record is (ha ha, current), or if one even exists, but with 770 hp, we're guessing this Fusion should be good for some serious speed.

The second car is a bit more radical. Ford is working with student engineers from Ohio State University on the Buckeye Bullet 2. This one is a fuel cell-powered racer that will compete in the unlimited class. The "2" in the name should be a tip-off that these guys have tried this before. In 2004, the BB1 ran 315 mph and set the unlimited land speed record for an electric vehicle.

Full press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford attempting land speed record with Fusion Hydrogen 999 Racer

Ford attempting land speed record with Fusion Hydrogen 999 Racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobloggreenbonnevilleBuckeye Bullet 2BuckeyeBullet2Ford FusionFord Fusion Hydrogen 999FordFusionFordFusionHydrogen999Hydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellLand Speed RecordLandSpeedRecordOhio State UniversityOhioStateUniversityTue, 10 Jul 2007 16:05:00 EST<![CDATA[2007 Goodwood Festival of Speed: Land Speed Record cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/25/2007-goodwood-festival-of-speed-land-speed-record-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/25/2007-goodwood-festival-of-speed-land-speed-record-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/25/2007-goodwood-festival-of-speed-land-speed-record-cars/#commentsFiled under:



The theme of the 2007 Festival of Speed was Spark of Genius - Breaking Records, Pushing Boundaries, and so it's fitting that Land Speed Record (LSR) vehicles were given a special display at this year's event. A group of the vehicles was arranged on the cricket pitch, including several from Bonneville Speed Weeks past. There was the 1960 Challenger 1 (4 engines, 400+ mph), The Blue Flame, which managed better than 630 mph in 1970, a Ford Coupe, some MGs, the 1949 SoCal belly-tank car (198 mph), and even the newest -- the JCB DieselMax that we have written about fairly extensively in the past year or so. There were many others as well, but none could top Babs.

With its huge 27-liter Liberty engine, it set a record of 170 mph in 1926 before crashing the next year. The driver didn't survive and the car itself was buried in a hole in the beach for a number of years. It was finally dug up in 1969 and restored. And Babs was here this weekend, all 20-something feet of her. The best part of that story is that Babs was fired up, to the appreciation of the crowd, and run up the hill all weekend. Oversteering in the rain and everything. It was an absolutely amazing vehicle amidst so many other great stories here at Goodwood.

Gallery: 2007 Goodwood Festival of Speed: Land Speed Record cars



All photos (C) 2007 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

2007 Goodwood Festival of Speed: Land Speed Record cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BabsBlue FlameBlueFlamebonnevillefeaturedFestival of SpeedFestivalOfSpeedGoodwoodLand Speed RecordLandSpeedRecordSoCal belly-tankSocalBelly-tankMon, 25 Jun 2007 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Goodwood Festival of Salt]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/27/goodwood-festival-of-salt/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/27/goodwood-festival-of-salt/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/27/goodwood-festival-of-salt/#commentsFiled under: ,



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[Mickey Thompson murder trial begins]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/08/mickey-thompson-murder-trial-begins/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/08/mickey-thompson-murder-trial-begins/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/08/mickey-thompson-murder-trial-begins/#commentsFiled under: ,

The murder of motorsports legend Mickey Thompson and his wife in 1988 was one of the most brutal crimes to hit the automotive world. Nearly two decades later, prosecutors in Pasadena, CA hope to bring the alleged perpetrator to justice. The trial against Michael Goodwin opened on Monday with claims that two yet-unidentified hitmen fatally shot Trudy Thompson before killing Mickey outside the couple's home.

The motive for the mob-style execution is claimed to be a failed deal between Thompson and Goodwin involving stadium racing in SoCal. When things went sour, Thompson successfully sued for around $750,000, forcing Goodwin into bankruptcy. Prior to the killings, Goodwin was overheard making verbal threats against Thompson. Goodwin's lawyer claims that no connection exists between the defendant and the two hitmen.

Mickey Thompson is probably best-known nowadays for the products that carry his name, but he established his reputation by being one of the most innovative racers on the track, in the dirt, and at the salt flats. The "Christmas tree" lights used at nearly every dragstrip owe their existence to Thompson, and he also developed the frightening - and fast - "slingshot" dragster chassis. The crowning achievement of his career, however, was piloting the first piston-powered wheeled vehicle beyond the 400 MPH mark in 1960. Thompson's many accomplishments earned him a posthumous induction into the Motorsports International Hall of Fame in 1990.

[Source: CNN]

Mickey Thompson murder trial begins originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Nov 2006 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonnevilledragindymickeymurderoff-roadracingSCOREthompsontrialWed, 08 Nov 2006 08:32:00 EST<![CDATA[2-wheel land speed record falls in the flats]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/05/2-wheel-land-speed-record-falls-in-the-flats/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/05/2-wheel-land-speed-record-falls-in-the-flats/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/05/2-wheel-land-speed-record-falls-in-the-flats/#commentsFiled under:



If we've learned anything from the JCB Dieselmax team, it's that records are meant to be broken, and why should our four-wheeled friends have all the fun? Last weekend the International Motorcycle Speed Trials began at the Bonneville Salt Flats with a record breaking two-wheel run by Team TOP 1 ACK Attack. The team's two-wheeled streamliner owned and designed by Mike Akatiff and piloted by Rocky Robinson achieved a combined two-way average of speed of 342.797 mph, demolishing the old record of 322.149 mph by over 20 mph. Within the first two hours of the event's kick off, "the Ack" recorded its first pass of 344 mph and a second at around 340 mph. Everything went smoothly reports Cycle News, except for the part when the parachute was supposed to deploy. It took Robinson five yanks on the lever to make it actuate. Yikes.

Many other teams are waiting in the wings to break the new record this week, but Team Attack claims it was only using 75 percent of its two-wheeler's potential. Before the week is over we should expect a standing two-wheel speed record of at least 350 mph from someone out in the flats.

Tip: Curt

[Source: CycleNews]

2-wheel land speed record falls in the flats originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Sep 2006 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonnevillebonneville salt flatsBonnevilleSaltFlatscyclemotorcyclerecordtwo wheelTwoWheelworld recordWorldRecordTue, 05 Sep 2006 19:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Pontiac may get a G8 RWD sedan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/pontiac-may-get-a-g8-rwd-sedan/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/pontiac-may-get-a-g8-rwd-sedan/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/pontiac-may-get-a-g8-rwd-sedan/#commentsFiled under: , ,

General Motors' announcement last week to build the Camaro and other rear-wheel-drive product at its soon-revamped Oshawa facility is a perfect ignition source for all sorts of RWD product rumors, so let's get things started with talk about the Pontiac G8. The cancellation of the Bonneville has left the Poncho brand without a full-size vehicle, and the end of the GTO's run means that a combination of RWD and a V8 can no longer be found at a Pontiac dealer. So much for being the "excitement" division, huh?

Well, that may quickly change, as Pontiac wants to build a full-size RWD vehicle on the Camaro's Zeta platform. This would provide a flagship vehicle for the faltering brand, and would likely be the sportiest RWD GM sedan this side of Cadillac's V-series (Buick and Chevrolet are also likely to be receiving Zeta-based four-doors). Such a vehicle would likely follow the Camaro's showroom appearance in late 2008.

To us, this seems like a no-brainer. SUV buyers seem to be looking to migrate to a car without giving up much in the way of size or performance, and of course vehicles like the Chrysler 300C are doing well because of this market trend. Such a vehicle would give GM a way to flex its V8 powertrain prowess, would help Pontiac live up to its billing, and should be a strong contender in that oh-so-densely-packed $35-40K near-luxury segment.

[Source: Chicago Tribune]

Pontiac may get a G8 RWD sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Aug 2006 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonnevillecamarog8gmgtols2oshawapontiacrear wheel driverwdsigmazetaThu, 24 Aug 2006 12:31:00 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.

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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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonnevillebonneville salt flatsbonneville speed weekBonnevilleSaltFlatsgm performanceland speed recordso-cal cobaltso-cal hhrso-cal speed shopspeed recordTue, 15 Aug 2006 17:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Chevy Cobalt aims to set E85 record at Bonneville]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/09/chevy-cobalt-aims-to-set-e85-record-at-bonneville/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/09/chevy-cobalt-aims-to-set-e85-record-at-bonneville/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/09/chevy-cobalt-aims-to-set-e85-record-at-bonneville/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



A Chevrolet Cobalt SS racecar engineered in part by three female students is heading for the Bonneville Salt Flats this week, in an attempt to set speed records using both E85 and gasoline.

If the student's Cobalt project is successful, it will be the first vehicle to set a record at Bonneville using E85 fuel, racing in the G Class/Unblown Fuel Competition Coupe class. Running gasoline, the car will also run in G CLass/Unblown Gas Competition Coupe class.

GM Co-op students Lauren Zimmer, Sandra Saldivar and Heather Chemistruck are part of GM Performance Division's Student Bonneville Program.

The fuel-injected "Go Yellow" Cobalt will be joined by a trio of GM Performance Bonneville entries powered by blown versions of the General's Ecotec four-banger: the Chevy So-Cal Bonneville HHR, the Chevy So-Cal Cobalt SS, and the Ecotec Lakester.

[Source: GM]

Chevy Cobalt aims to set E85 record at Bonneville originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Aug 2006 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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