EYSTON BREAKS OWN RECORD

Southland Times, Issue 23599, 29 August 1938, Page 7

EYSTON BREAKS OWN RECORD

SPEED OF 345 MILES AN HOUR TWO RUNS OVER MEASURED MILE (British Official Wireless) (Received August 28, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, August 27. A new world’s land speed record was set up by Captain G. E. T. Eyston today at the Bonneville salt flats, Utah (United States). Captain Eyston’s official time for two runs over a measured mile gave an average of 345.49 miles an hour. The north-bound run was at 347.49 miles an hour and the southbound run at 343.48 miles an hour. The previous record of 312.2 miles an hour was set up on the same course last November by Captain Eyston, when h< beat Captain Sir Malcolm Campbell's record of 301.47 miles an hour. The Thunderbolt had been painted with black bands to actuate the electric timing device better. Mr John Cobb, who will make an attempt on the record soon, was among the first to congratulate Captain Eyston, who said he would remain until Mr Cobb’s trials were completed in case it was necessary to try to exceed the latter’s speed.

Captain Eyston, driving the Thunderbolt, beat his own world's land speed record at the Bonneville salt flats (Utah) last Wednesday, but because of the failure of the electric timing devices on the second southwards run the speed could not rank as an official record.

Captain Eyston covered the northwards mile at 347.15 miles an hour and the southwards run at 346.8 miles an hour.

In an article copyright by the North American Newspaper Alliance Captain Eyston said: “It was a tremendous sensation, whistling across the salt at 347 miles an hour. I never dreamed there was such acceleration in the Thunderbolt. I want to give my faithful crew a deserved word of praise. The improvements we made last winter all proved themselves justified.

“I look forward to my next attempt with even greater anticipation, but it is unlikely that I will be able to run again this week. Mounting new tyres will require two or three days. In the meantime I will watch John Cobb make his speed attempt.”