On April 4, 2023, Craig Breedlove, who was born on March 23, 1937, passed away. He was a capable American race car driver who five times set the land speed record.
He broke two records by becoming the first person to hit 500 mph (800 km/h) and 600 mph (970 km/h) in a variety of Spirit of America turbojet-powered vehicles.
He tried to beat the record in 1962 while riding a freewheeling tricycle powered by a General Electric J47 turbojet engine; however, this vehicle did not match the FIA’s four-wheel criteria. On August 5, 1963, Spirit of America made its first attempt and, utilizing only 95% of its power, set a record speed of 407,45 mph (655,73 km/h).
The car was so light that there was no need to change the tires afterward. Other racers, like as Walt Arfons’ Wingfoot Express and Art Arfons’ Green Monster, competed against Breedlove in 1964.
Breedlove became the first person to surpass 500 mph (800 km/h), but he easily expanded his record to 468.72 mph (754.33 km/h) and then to 526.28 mph (846.97 km/h).
When one of his drogue parachute’s shroud lines failed during this attempt, Spirit of America traveled for five miles (eight kilometers) before colliding with a telegraph post and splashing down in a lake. Only 12 days later, Green Monster surpassed this mark with a two-run average of 536.71 mph (863.75 km/h).
What nationality is Breedlove?
Where was Breedlove born? Breedlove is an American national. Craig Breedlove was born in Los Angeles, California in 1937.
How fast did Craig Breedlove’s Spirit of America go?
Mr. Breedlove is the first to average more than 500 m.p.h. Mr. Breedlove just managed to escape the vehicle as Spirit of America crashed into a saline lake during its return trip.