Salt, Speed, and the Last Absolute Record

From the first timed automobile runs of the 1890s to the supersonic thunder of ThrustSSC, Salt, Speed, and the Last Absolute Record tells the dramatic true story of land-speed racing and the human quest to become fastest on Earth.

Across roads, beaches, salt flats, and desert playas, record hunters transformed speed from a sensation into a measured fact. This book follows the pioneers, engineers, drivers, and machines that pushed the limits of what a land vehicle could do: Camille Jenatzy's electric La Jamais Contente, the brutal Blitzen Benz, the mighty Sunbeam record cars, Malcolm Campbell's Blue Bird, Henry Segrave's Golden Arrow, John Cobb's Railton, Mickey Thompson's Challenger, Craig Breedlove's Spirit of America, Art Arfons's Green Monster, Richard Noble's Thrust2, Andy Green's ThrustSSC, and the modern Bloodhound dream of 1,000 mph.

Written in a flowing, fact-based narrative style, this is the story of official timing, dangerous surfaces, jet power, wheel-driven records, Bonneville's fragile salt, and the extraordinary people who aimed machines at the horizon and asked one of motorsport's purest questions: how fast can we go?

For readers of motorsport history, engineering adventure, and true stories of human ambition, this book captures the beauty, danger, and discipline of the straight-line pursuit to become fastest on Earth.

Trademark Disclaimer

This book is an independent, unofficial work of motorsport history. All trademarks, trade names, vehicle names, team names, project names, manufacturer names, logos, and related marks mentioned in this book-including but not limited to Bonneville, Blue Bird, Bluebird, Golden Arrow, Sunbeam, Blitzen Benz, Spirit of America, Green Monster, Thrust2, ThrustSSC, Bloodhound, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, Napier, Ford, Pontiac, and other referenced names-are the property of their respective owners. Their use is for factual, historical, descriptive, and editorial purposes only. This book is not endorsed by, sponsored by, authorised by, or affiliated with any trademark holder, manufacturer, racing organisation, record authority, museum, team, estate, or project mentioned herein.