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Craig Breedlove, an L.A. hot-rodder with only a high school education, a family to support, and a meager budget, embarked on an audacious journey in the late 1950s. His dream: to harness the power of a jet in a car. This growing obsession would eventually cost him his marriage, but he soldiered on, beginning his project in his father’s garage. The fruits of his labor? The Spirit of America.
Through sheer perseverance and tireless hard work, Breedlove completed the Spirit of America and shattered the land speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats, hitting an astounding 407 mph in 1963. His thirst for speed unquenched, he became the first person to drive at a staggering 500 and 600 mph, breaking the land speed record an impressive five times.
In the 1970s, Breedlove turned to rocket technology and set an acceleration record at Bonneville that stands unbroken today. In the 1990s, he crafted another jet car, the Spirit of America Sonic Arrow, to compete against Britain’s ThrustSSC in a race to Mach 1. His subsequent crash at a hair-raising 675 mph remains the fastest in history.
Now at eighty, Breedlove shows no signs of slowing down. His current goal: to design another Spirit of America racer that can hit 1,000 mph.
Ultimate Speed is the official biography of this motorsports legend, featuring a foreword written by Breedlove himself. This candid account of one of the most fascinating figures in motorsports is based on countless hours of interviews with Breedlove and numerous people from his life. Immerse yourself in this gripping tale.