“WINGFOOT EXPRESS”
Bid For Land Speed Record
. (N.Z.P.A.-Reiiter—Copyright) NEW YORK, July 23. The Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company announced today it was sponsoring an attempt on the British-held world land speed record this week at Bonneville Flats, Utah.
It said the attempt would take place on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, depending on conditions.
The existing record was set in September. 1947, by the late John Cobb. He achieved a speed of 394.196 miles an hour at Bonneville Flats, in a Railton Mobil.
Goodyear said a custom built jet-powered car, owned by Walt Afrons. would be used. The target would be a speed of 435 miles an hour. The vehicle is named the "Wingfoot Express." It was described as a low-slung car—travelling only three inches above the road surface—equipped with a J 46 jet engine with after-burner. The engine develops a thrust of 70001 b. A team of three drivers is standing by. A decision on who will take the wheel will be made shortly before the attempt begins The drivers are Tom Green, of Illinois. Church Hatcher, of Los Angeles, and Doug Rose of Milwaukee.
Toa On Slip.—The Toa arrived at Lyttelton from Kaiapoi yesterday, to go on the patent slip for her annual overhaul and survey.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CII, Issue 30191, 24 July 1963, Page 11
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207“WINGFOOT EXPRESS” Press, Volume CII, Issue 30191, 24 July 1963, Page 11
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