When Mickey Thompson first considered "challenging" (pun intended) Cobb's record in late '58, the first item he envisioned was single-spur-gear sets (1:2) at each wheel, to obviate the need for pinion shafts/bearing to spin about 13,000 RPM. These four gearsets were actually the very first pieces fabricated. Admittedly, this approach could possibly require reverse-rotation engine(s)- but it served very well in the Challenger 'liner (since 2 of the 4 engines needed reverse-rotation anyway). Just something to keep in mind...