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Speeding to Glory: The 1966 Bonneville Salt Flats Speed Trials

The Bonneville Salt Flats Speed Trials is an event on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA. The event has been held annually since 1914, and it is considered one of the world’s most famous and prestigious speed trials.

During the Speed Trials, cars and motorcycles are driven across a flat, hard surface of salt in an attempt to set speed records. The salt flats provide a smooth and consistent surface that is ideal for setting speed records, as it allows vehicles to reach high speeds without being impeded by obstacles such as rocks or bumps.

In 1966, many cars and motorcycles participated in the Speed Trials with the aim of setting speed records. These vehicles were specially built and modified for high-speed racing and were driven by experienced drivers and riders. They were divided into different classes based on engine size, vehicle type and other criteria.

During the event, many speed records were set across different classes and categories. These records were officially recorded and recognized by the governing bodies of the event, such as the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) and the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA).

The Bonneville Salt Flats Speed Trials is considered as one of the most challenging and exciting events in the world of speed racing. The trials attract competitors from around the world, who come to test the limits of their vehicles and their own abilities in an attempt to set new speed records. The event is still held annually and continues to be a popular and exciting event for speed enthusiasts.

#1 Bert Munro works on his streamlined Indian Scout with an Alex Tremulis-designed Detroit Triumph Gyronaut X-1 in the background.

#2 Art Arfons stands alongside his jet-propelled “Green Monster.”

#3 The Hammon-McGrath-Appenfels “Redhead” streamliner #147B wins the class trophy with a speed of 331.46 miles per hour.

#4 The Summers Brothers “Goldenrod” C-Class Streamliner makes a run on the salt.

#5 The Hammon-McGrath-Appenfels “Redhead” streamliner #147B.

#6 The Alex Tremulis-designed Detroit Triumph Gyrnonaut X-1.

#8 The Ratliff & Zook E/Gas Roadster, which posted a 158.45 mile per hour speed.

#9 The Deeds and Saderup Studebaker, the class trophy winner in the D/Fuel Coupe and Sedan Division with 191.48 miles per hour.

#10 Neil M. Thompson’s gold-metalflake painted sports car.

#11 J.R. Lufkin’s #646 C/Modified Sports entry with sponsorship from Autolite and performance mods from AK Miller.

#12 The rocket-powered Wingfoot Express 2 built by Walt Arfons, propelled by the use of 35 Jet-Assisted Take Off pods.

#13 Bill and Bob Summers stand alongside their record-setting Summers Brothers “Golden Rod” streamliner.

#15 A trio of streamliners from the H- and I-classes, with Wheel Centre Company #901H at top, “The Ball Point Banana” #555 at center and “The Orange Crate” #222 at bottom.

#16 Donald Barr’s H-Class Streamliner, which attained a speed of 145.92 miles per hour.

#17 The Hammon-McGrath-Appenfels “Redhead” with the engine cowling removed to expose the supercharged Hemi powerplant inside.

#18 The Larson-Cummins Streamliner, which took home the D-Class trophy for its 225 miles per hour run.

#19 The Designers International Special, “Tempest in a T-pot” streamliner campaigned by team Ron Benham and Don Hurley.

Written by Jacob Aberto

Sincere, friendly, curious, ambitious, enthusiast. I'm a content crafter and social media expert. I love Classic Movies because their dialogue, scenery and stories are awesome.

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