British racer hits 750 mph

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997 | 9:39 a.m.

Tuesday's speed, verified by both his Thrust SSC team and by the rival Spirit of America crew, was within 10-15 mph of the sound barrier, depending on the temperature and other weather conditions at the desert's 5,000-foot altitude.

He crept home from the 13-mile run at a relative snail's pace of 170 mph to avoid having to be towed.

A record run is only official if there are two sprints in opposite directions within one hour.

Neither Green nor Spirit pilot Craig Breedlove had expected to get out for a serious dash on a day that dawned overcast and windy. But with a threat of stormy weather looming for the next few days, Breedlove went out for a 475 mph engine test at mid afternoon, then Green took advantage of another break in the weather to light up his afterburners in their duel for the land speed record.

Both cars are powered by the equivalent of F-4 fighter jets. Breedlove's Spirit has one; Green's Thrust has two and is twice as heavy.

He smashed the previous record with a 714.144 mph run Sept. 25 that eclipsed the 633.47 mph his boss, Richard Noble, set here 14 years ago last Saturday.

Noble's goal this year is Mach 1 for Thrust SSC. The SSC stands for supersonic car.

Breedlove was the fastest man on land five times in the mid-1960s and was the first to exceed 400 mph, 500 mph and 600 mph. His best speed this year was 531 mph on Monday.

Breedlove attained 677 mph last Oct. 28 when a crosswind sent his jet-powered car skittering sideways through the desert. He escaped unhurt, but the car required some $750,000 worth of repairs over the winter.

Noble hopes the next two runs will put Thrust within striking distance of the sound barrier.

"Although on the face of it there is only Mach 0.035 to go, this may well prove to be the toughest part, and the next few days will show," he said.