45 years ago today, October 23, 1970, the last absolute world land speed record was set on the Bonneville Salt Flats. The Blue Flame, designed and built by Reaction Dynamics, Inc. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, driven by Gary Gabelich, and powered by a purpose-built liquefied natural gas-fueled rocket motor, became the first automobile to exceed 1,000 kilometers per hour.
The mile record of 622.407 miles per hour lasted 13 years, and the kilometer record of 630.388 miles per hour (1,014.656 kilometers per hour) lasted 27 years.
This was the last successful world land speed record by an American team.
Sponsored by America’s natural gas industry through their American Gas Association (AGA), The Blue Flame was constructed in our small shop in Milwaukee with the help of numerous volunteers. The car ran on Goodyear pneumatic tires which were mounted on custom-designed CRAGAR aluminum wheels. This was the last absolute world land speed record using pneumatic tires.
Arriving on the salt in mid-September, our small Reaction Dynamics land speed record team worked tirelessly to overcome numerous obstacles as we progressed toward the ultimate prize, the world land speed record. Finally, the record was achieved at the last possible moment when winter snows ended the racing season.
So, three young men from Wisconsin (Reaction Dynamics, Inc.), with practically no real money, but with a novel idea and ambition to conquer the world of speed, were able to parlay a modest budget and hard work into reality at 630 miles per hour.
Thinking back on this remarkable achievement by our small group of hot-rodders from Wisconsin 45 years ago, I can exclaim – “Only in America!”
Here’s our story on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PFEnzhP9Y4