Craig Breedlove Unveils Speed Of Sound Land Speed Record Car

07/12/96

Craig Breedlove, former holder of the World Land Speed Record, now 59 years young, showed The Auto Channel and a group of automotive journalists the actual Shell sponsored 45000 HP three wheeler with which he'll go for the gold in August. In 1965 Breedlove drove his first "Spirit of America" jet machine 555MPH and then to 600 MPH before giving up the crown to England's Richard Noble who ran 633.468.

Breedlove has been working for a dozen years on the new "Spirit" and he vows that he will run well over 700 MPH at Bonneville next month. He said he and his 15 man team have booked time on the salt and will approach trans-sonic barriers never encountered in a land based vehicle, so they will take the runs in increments, instead of an all-out banzai run for the record. The motor puts out 24,000 lbs of thrust and will actually run on Shell premium pump gas. The car sports Centerline wheels, 3/4 inch solid carbon glass tires, and has support from AutoZone, Chevrolet, and Alcoa.

Actor/racer Craig T. Nelson attended the unveiling and has lent his name to the effort, as he has bought the movie rights to the Craig Breedlove story. Don't know if the 6'5" Coach will play the 5'7" Breedlove.

The racer, with two rear wheels behind an outboard J79 GE jet motor and driver placement square on/in the pointed nose, will carry 118 gallons of fuel, 2.4 gals of oil and weighs 9000 pounds. TACH will keep you updated and look for a photo tomorrow.

Bill Maloney -- The Auto Channel