Details of the Land SPeed record

Thursday, Sept. 25, 1997 | 4:36 a.m.

THRUST SSC: 54 feet long, 12 feet wide, weighs 10.2 tons. Powered by two 110,000-horsepower Rolls-Royce Spey 205 engines, essentially the same power plant used in a Navy F-4 Phantom fighter. Top speed in one direction in 1997, 719.137 mph on Tuesday. Land speed record 714.144 mph on Thursday.

SPIRIT OF AMERICA: 44 feet long, 8 feet 4 inches wide, weighs 4.5 tons. Powered by one 48,000-horsepower modified GE J79 engine with afterburner, also similar to that used in an F-4. Flipped on its side at an estimated 677 Oct. 28. Fastest run this year 381 mph on Sunday.

RECORD: Sanctioned by the Federation International Autobiliste, a record run requires an average speed of at least 639.8 mph in two passes in opposite directions within one hour through a measured mile. Thrust timed by United States Auto Club, or USAC. Spirit by Sports Car Club of America, SCCA.

CRAIG BREEDLOVE: 60, five time land speed record holder, all set at Bonneville. 407.45 mph in 1963; 468.72 mph and 526.28 mph in 1964; 555.48 mph and 600.6 mph in 1965.

RICHARD NOBLE: 51, world land speed record holder, 633.468 mph in the Black Rock Desert north of Reno. Thrust SSC now is driven by Andy Green, 35, a squadron leader with the Royal Air Force.

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