This video documents a land speed racing team's dramatic weekend at the Bonneville Salt Flats "World Finals." The primary objective is to break the 1-liter, naturally aspirated land speed record of 266 mph with a custom-built streamliner. The team successfully achieves this on the first day, setting a new record over 270 mph and earning the coveted 200 mph Club "red hat."
The team then switches focus to the 500cc class by deactivating two of the engine's cylinders. During an attempt on the 500cc fuel record, a critical tuning error while using nitrous oxide causes the new $6,000 engine to run lean and catastrophically fail. In a display of impressive field engineering, the team swaps in their old, damaged backup engine using the car's trailer as a makeshift hoist. Despite the backup engine's known transmission problems, they successfully set a second record in the 500cc fuel class, concluding a weekend of extreme highs and lows with two world records.
Bonneville Record Chase: Triumph, Disaster, and Redemption
0:00:21 The Goal: After four years of development, the creator aims to break the 1-liter naturally aspirated land speed record of 266 mph at Bonneville with his custom streamliner.
0:02:30 Upgrades for the Attempt: The car is fitted with a new engine and a 3D-printed airbox, which was optimized using CFD analysis to improve ram air effect and reduce drag.
0:04:22 First Record Achieved: During the first run in the 1-liter class, an intended short nitrous oxide test unexpectedly results in a qualifying speed of 270 mph.
0:05:48 Risky Backup Run: For the confirmation run, a second stage of nitrous is added. However, the cooling nitrous bottle causes the engine to run too rich, slowing the car down. Despite this, the average speed is high enough to secure the record and earn the creator his 200 mph Club "red hat."
0:07:10 New Challenge: 500cc Class: The team converts the car to the 500cc class by deactivating two cylinders. They first attempt the 36-year-old "gas" record of 202 mph but fall short, achieving only 191 mph.
0:10:43 Catastrophic Engine Failure: While attempting the 500cc "fuel" record, a critical tuning mistake occurs. The engine was jetted for 50 horsepower of nitrous but only fueled for 25 horsepower, causing a massively lean condition that completely destroyed the new engine.
0:12:30 Resourceful Field Repair: Undeterred, the team swaps in their old, damaged backup engine right on the salt flats, using the car's trailer lift as an improvised engine hoist and a sponsor's banner as an oil tarp.
0:14:15 Redemption with a Damaged Engine: The backup engine has known issues, including a faulty first gear that pops out under load. This forces the driver to launch the car in second gear, but it successfully accelerates into its powerband.
0:16:34 A Second Record Against All Odds: Using the faulty backup engine, the team sets another record in the 500cc fuel class with an official average speed of 207 mph, securing a second record and a second hat in one weekend.
0:20:46 Future Plans: With two world records achieved, the creator looks ahead to new goals, such as building a dedicated 500cc engine or installing a larger, turbocharged motorcycle engine to chase the 300 mph "blue hat."