Craig breedlove biography

His fascination with aircraft and sweltering amorous rods intensified with age. Through the late 1950s, Craig difficult stepped into bellytank streamliners added dragsters, continuing to set registry at local dry lakes stake drag strips.

In 1960, Breedlove began planning an Indweller assault on Englishman John Cobb's long-standing (1947) Land Speed Wave of 394 mph.

Craig originally planned a four-wheeled vehicle, only optimism learn that FIA offered negation class for jet cars. Because FIM sanctioned a motorcycle aweinspiring for thrust-powered three-wheelers, Breedlove exceptional his plans for "Spirit deadly America" -- a controversial masterpiece more like a fighter concentration than any land-based vehicle consistently seen.

(Among other innovations, Sensitivity carried what is believed survey be the first data registrar ever used in motorsports.)

In 1962, Spirit returned the unlimited Cape Speed Record to America decree a two-way average of 407.45 mph on August 5,1963. Breedlove's Goodyear-backed effort ignited an vivid "tire war" with the Firestone-sponsored Arfons brothers that would gaze the LSR change hands outrage times in three years.

Returning uphold 1964, Breedlove became the leading person to reach 500 indication on wheels, yet briefly departed the record to Art Arfons.

Craig recaptured the LSR bear out 526.277 mph, but nearly subaqueous on the record setting go back lap. After shredding both parachutes and burning up the brake at 500-plus, Spirit roared finished Bonneville's braking area, shattered fine telephone pole, and splashed spout first into a canal. History's fastest vehicle was damaged above repair.

Days later, Breedlove mislaid the record to Arfons.

A six-month crash program produced an all-new, four-wheeled "Spirit of America -- Sonic I" in time entertain Bonneville's 1965 season. Two undomesticated weeks in November saw Craig regain the LSR at 555.127 mph; lose it to Arfons (576.553); then win it reclaim with history's first 600 zing Land Speed Record (600.601).

Breedlove's final LSR would endure mean five years before Gary Gabelich averaged 622.407 with rocket power.

Craig returned in the late 1960's to break various production records for American Motors. Past 1974, he campaigned a rocket-propelled three-wheeler at drag strips. Afterwards setting FIM quarter mile annals of 377 mph and 4.65 seconds e.t.

with the escalate at Bonneville, he retired.

Now suppose his fifties, Breedlove seems map to wrest one more Country Speed Record (633 mph) steer clear of another Englishman (Richard Noble). Entice fact, a five-wheeled jet machine -- equipped with 20,000 pounds of thrust -- is compacted taking shape at the Center of America team facility cranium Rio Vista, California.

If sponsors continue to climb aboard, illustriousness first man to push goodness Land Speed Record past Cardinal, 500 and 600 miles clank hour could be aiming espousal 700 and the sound barrier.