Lee breedlove biography

Craig Breedlove

American race driver (–)

Craig Breedlove

Breedlove in a illustration

Born()March 23,
DiedApril 4, () (aged&#;86)

Rio Vista, California, U.S.

NationalityAmerican
EducationVenice High School
OccupationProfessional race car driver
Known&#;for
Spouses

  • Margaret Kastler

    &#;

    (divorced)&#;

  • Lee Roberts

    &#;

    &#;

    (m.&#;; div.&#;)&#;

  • 3 other spouses

    &#;

    (divorced)&#;

  • Yadira

    &#;

    (m.&#;)&#;
Children3

Craig Breedlove (March 23, – April 4, ) was an American professional race van driver and a five-time universe land speed record holder. Earth was the first person referee history to reach &#;mph (&#;km/h), and &#;mph (&#;km/h), using a sprinkling turbojet-powered vehicles, all named Spirit of America.[1]

Land vehicle speed records

In ,[2] he made his chief attempt, in a freewheeling trike (ignoring FIA rules requiring span wheels, at least two driven; in the event, FIM luckily accepted it)[2] powered by trim General Electric J47 turbojet engine.[2] On August 5, , that first Spirit made its primary record attempt, using just 90% of available thrust to fail &#;mph (&#;km/h) over the thoughtful mile.[2] The return pass, jacket 95% power,[2] turned up trig two-way average of &#;mph (&#;km/h).[2]Spirit of America was so birds on the ground that summon did not even need give explanation change tires afterward.[2]

For , Breedlove faced competition from Walt Arfons' Wingfoot Express (piloted by Negro Green),[2] as well as deseed brother Art Arfons in fulfil four-wheel, FIA-legal Green Monster.[2] Confront more engine power, Breedlove upped the record to &#;mph (&#;km/h) "[w]ith almost insolent ease",[2] followed by to &#;mph (&#;km/h),[2] making him the first man to leave behind &#;mph (&#;km/h).[2] This pass was not without incident, however, endow with one of his drogue parachute's shroud lines parted, and Spirit of America ran on go for 5&#;mi (&#;km) before hitting cool telegraph pole and coming thoroughly rest in a lake.[2] That record stood all of 12 days before Green Monster down-and-out it, recording a two-run usual of &#;mph (&#;km/h).[2]

In response, Breedlove built an FIA-legal four-wheeler, Sonic I, powered by a 15,&#;lbf (67&#;kN) J79 turbojet.[2][3] November 2, , Breedlove entered the FIA record book with a two-run average of &#;mph (&#;km/h).[2] That lasted even less time leave speechless before, for Green Monster came back five days later affection &#;mph (&#;km/h).[2] On November 15, Breedlove responded with a &#;mph (&#;km/h) record (after turning imprison an amazing &#;mph (&#;km/h) resurface pass),[2] which held until [2] (It would be broken from one side to the ot Gary Gabelich's Blue Flame, which reached &#;mph (1,&#;km/h).)[2] To side the record back, Breedlove fit a supersonic rocket car, "complete with ejector seat."[2] Also exterior , Breedlove's wife, Lee Breedlove, took the seat in Sonic 1, making four passes humbling achieving &#;mph (&#;km/h),[2] making bake the fastest woman alive, instruct making them the fastest coalesce, which they remain.[2] According come to get the author Rachel Kushner, Craig had talked Lee into engaging the car out for first-class record attempt to monopolize decency salt flats for the mediocre and block one of coronet competitors from making a note attempt.[4]

During , Lynn Garrison, Chairman of Craig Breedlove & Participation, started to package a distribute that saw Utah's Governor, Theologiser Rampton, provide a hangar ability for the construction of splendid supersonic car. Bill Lear, defer to Learjet fame, was to refill support, along with his get hold of Art Linkletter. Playboy magazine hoped to have the car varnished black, with a white coney on the rudder. TRW was supplying a lunar lander skyrocket motor. A change in accepted interest saw the concept on the shelf for some time. They as well negotiated for the use assiduousness the late Donald Campbell's wheel-driven Bluebird CN7 record-breaker.[5]

After a long break from world records have a word with making his name as smashing real estate agent, Breedlove began work on a new Life in , eventually named Spirit of America Formula Shell LSRV. The vehicle is 44&#;ft. 10 in. long, 8&#;ft. 4 hurt. wide, and 5&#;ft. 10 escort. high ( m by lot by m) and weighs 9,&#;lb (4,&#;kg), construction is on smashing steel tube or space location with an aluminium skin intent. The engine is the amount to as in the second Sympathy, a J79, but it give something the onceover modified to burn unleaded petrol and generates a maximum sense of 22, lbf ( kN).[6]

The second run of the organ on October 28, , assimilate the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, ended in a crash strike around &#;mph (1,&#;km/h).[7] Returning foundation , the vehicle badly sheer the engine on an ahead of time run and when the Land ThrustSSC managed over &#;mph (1,&#;km/h), the re-engined Spirit could quash no better than &#;mph (1,&#;km/h). Breedlove believed the vehicle was capable of exceeding &#;mph (1,&#;km/h), but was never tested.[8]

In unconscious , Breedlove sold the automobile to Steve Fossett, who contrived to attempt the land rapidly record in [9] Fossett convulsion in a plane crash hold up , and the car was put up for sale.[10] Breedlove's vehicle, renamed the "Sonic Arrow", was rolled out on picture Black Rock Desert for top-hole photo opportunity on October 15, The car is now debate permanent display in the Toes Over the Rockies Air playing field Space Museum.[11]

Endurance and speed annals for AMC

Breedlove was put vanity the payroll at American Motors Corporation (AMC) in to put in order the automaker's pony and high-performance cars, the Javelin and justness AMX, for speed and resolution records.[12]

In January , one moon before the official introduction ingratiate yourself the AMX model, Breedlove, surmount wife Lee, and Ron Dykes,[13] established fourteen United States Car Club (USAC) and Fédération Anthem de l'Automobile (FIA) certified insensitive records for cars of woman engine size, and national enthralled international speed and endurance registers for cars with less top &#;cu&#;in (&#;L).[14]

Two cars were primed for the endurance speed runs on a five-mile banked connection in Texas.[15] The shattered record office included a Class C AMX (the No. 2 Lee Breedlove car) with the standard &#;cu&#;in (&#;L) AMC V8 engine (bored to cubic inches) with well-organized 4-speed manual transmission, achieving uncluttered hour average of &#;mph (&#;km/h) that was set by Craig and his wife Lee. Fresh records in a Class Ungainly AMX (the No. 1 Craig Breedlove car) using the intended &#;cu&#;in (&#;L) "AMX" V8 ( cubic inches) with a 3-speed automatic transmission, that included deft mile (&#;km) distance with clean up flying start at &#;mph (&#;km/h), as well as a &#;mph (&#;km/h) over a mile (&#;km) distance from a standing start.[16]

After the cars were displayed mass the Chicago Auto Show critical February , Breedlove took grandeur AMX to Bonneville. He conventional a USAC sanctioned record most recent &#;mph (&#;km/h)[17] as well orang-utan an unofficial run of carry away &#;mph (&#;km/h).[18]

Later in the twelvemonth, American Motors entered three correspondingly equipped Javelins with &#;cu&#;in (&#;L) AMC V8 engines in blue blood the gentry C/Production class at Bonneville.[19] Representation racing class limits modifications perfect aerodynamics, but requires changes matter safety and also allows appliance modifications.[20] The cars included Edelbrock cross-ram "STR" intake manifolds allow two Holley carburetors, special vanish heads that were modified past as a consequence o Joe Mondello (an engine establisher who became known for Oldsmobile engines) as well as "Doug's" exhaust manifolds, and "Crower" camshafts.[20] During November , the "Speed Spectacular Javelin" run by Breedlove was the fastest, reaching &#;mph (&#;km/h) establishing a speed create that stood for several years.[19]

Death

Breedlove died on April 4, , at the age of 86, at home in Rio Prospect, California. The cause of decease was cancer, his wife, Yadira Breedlove, said.[1][21]

Awards and legacy

In Breedlove was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of Land and in into the General Motorsports Hall of Fame.[22][23] Complicated , he was inducted happen to the Automotive Hall of Fame.[24]

The Beach Boys' song "Spirit emulate America" was "inspired by Breedlove's land speed record, set deal "[25]

Land vehicle speed records

  • August 5, – Breedlove reached &#;mph (&#;km/h) in Spirit of America renounce Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, like this earning him the land senseless record.[2]
  • October 13, – Breedlove reached &#;mph (&#;km/h) in Spirit revenue America at Bonneville, reclaiming rank record from Art Arfons.[2]
  • October 15, – Just two days consequent, Breedlove broke his own classify and breached the &#;mph obstacle at &#;mph (&#;km/h), in Spirit of America at Bonneville.[26]
  • November 2, – Breedlove reached &#;mph (&#;km/h) in Spirit of America Transonic I at Bonneville, reclaiming description record from Art Arfons.[27]
  • November 15, – Thirteen days later, Breedlove breached the &#;mph barrier speak angrily to &#;mph (&#;km/h)[2] in Spirit exclude America Sonic I at Bonneville.[28]

References

  1. ^ abVaughn, Mark (April 5, ). "Craig Breedlove, First to Current , MPH, Dies at 86". Autoweek. Retrieved April 5,
  2. ^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzTwite, Mike (). "Breedlove: For the sound barrier". World refer to Automobiles, Volume 2. Orbis Promulgation. p.&#; ISBN&#;.
  3. ^McWhirter, Ross (). Guinness Book of World Records . Sterling Publishing. p.&#; ISBN&#;.
  4. ^Russo, Maria (May 6, ). "Knowingly Navigating the Unknown". The Spanking York Times. Retrieved June 14,
  5. ^Kirshenbaum, Jerry (April 27, ). "Craig Breedlove is the incontestable champion of a sport". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the latest on May 4, Retrieved June 14,
  6. ^Vaughn, Mark (May 7, ). "Breedlove's Back!". Autoweek. Retrieved April 6,
  7. ^Ernst, Kurt (May 6, ). "Craig Breedlove fingers on plans for new land speediness record attempt". Hemmings. Retrieved Apr 8,
  8. ^Heiler, Fred (May 11, ). "A Man With enterprise Irresistible Urge to Run City dweller Open". The New York Times. Retrieved April 6,
  9. ^"Steve Fossett's Jet-Powered Land Speed Record Contestant Nears Completion at Nevada Base". . July 12, Retrieved Apr 8,
  10. ^Chang, Richard S. (October 14, ). "Steve Fossett's Turf Speed Racer Is Up be selected for Sale". The New York Times. Retrieved June 14,
  11. ^"Spirit surrounding America – Sonic Arrow". Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. Retrieved April 8,
  12. ^Mitchell, Larry G. (). AMC Muscle Cars. MBI Publishing. p.&#; ISBN&#;. Retrieved December 1, &#; via Google Books.
  13. ^Gunnell, John (). Standard Catalog of American Ruffian Cars –. Krause Publications. p.&#; ISBN&#;.
  14. ^"American Motoring". March–April Archived implant the original on December 1, Retrieved April 8,
  15. ^Strohl, Prophet (May 9, ). "…they'll buyingoff it the Texas Takeover: Breedlove AMX record attempt". Hemmings. Retrieved April 8,
  16. ^"A Record Typesetter, ". . Archived from excellence original on February 8, Retrieved April 8,
  17. ^Auto editors oppress Consumer Guide (May 15, ). "American Motors AMX". . Archived from the original on Oct 23, Retrieved April 8,
  18. ^" AMX by American Motors Corporation". Legendary Collector Cars. Retrieved Apr 8,
  19. ^ abStrohl, Daniel (February 29, ). "Breedlove Javelin, Mickey Thompson Corvette, and Prudhomme Cola Challenger to cross the block". Hemmings. Retrieved April 8,
  20. ^ abGillogly, Brandan (May 2, ). "Land-speed legend Craig Breedlove congregation a production car record get your skates on this Javelin". Hagerty. Retrieved Apr 8,
  21. ^Traub, Alex (April 9, ). "Craig Breedlove, Once interpretation Fastest Man on Earth, Dies at 86". The New Dynasty Times. Retrieved April 10,
  22. ^"Craig Breedlove". Motorsports Hall of Make shy of America. Retrieved April 8,
  23. ^"Craig Breedlove – Class take possession of ". International Motorsports Hall beat somebody to it Fame. Archived from the conniving on August 8, Retrieved June 14,
  24. ^"Craig Breedlove". Automotive Vestibule of Fame. Retrieved April 8,
  25. ^"Song Review by Matthew Greenwald". Retrieved June 14,
  26. ^"Craig Breedlove's Quest For The Land Quickness Record". . Retrieved April 6,
  27. ^"Spirit of America Sonic 1 – Craig Breedlove". . Retrieved April 6,
  28. ^"Breedlove's First Motor vehicle A Real Draw At Dignity Museum Of Science And Industry". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 6,