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Automotive

Bonneville dishes out salt, sun and speed in spades

By C.C. Weiss
August 25, 2016
Bonneville dishes out salt, su...
On the starting line
On the starting line
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Our first look at the wide expanse of mountain-rimmed salt known as the Bonneville Salt Flats
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Our first look at the wide expanse of mountain-rimmed salt known as the Bonneville Salt Flats
Cars lined up and waiting for their shot at glory
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Cars lined up and waiting for their shot at glory
Cars lined up and ready to go, Bonneville Speed Week 2016
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Cars lined up and ready to go, Bonneville Speed Week 2016
This Bateman car looks like a carbon fiber bullet, but we were told that's just a carbon-look wrap over fiberglass
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This Bateman car looks like a carbon fiber bullet, but we were told that's just a carbon-look wrap over fiberglass
Halophile bike with 1300cc Suzuki motor
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Halophile bike with 1300cc Suzuki motor
Halophile bike with 1300cc Suzuki motor
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Halophile bike with 1300cc Suzuki motor
The Poteet and Main Speed Demon is the closest thing to a wingless aircraft we saw at Speed Week
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The Poteet and Main Speed Demon is the closest thing to a wingless aircraft we saw at Speed Week
The fastest vehicle of Speed Week 2016, the fittingly named Speed Demon set a record of 416.511 mph  (670 km/h)
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The fastest vehicle of Speed Week 2016, the fittingly named Speed Demon set a record of 416.511 mph  (670 km/h)
Car #998, a 2000 Nish Streamliner, takes off
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Car #998, a 2000 Nish Streamliner, takes off
This Nish Motorsports streamliner is listed as having a 520-cu in Darien Hemi V8
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This Nish Motorsports streamliner is listed as having a 520-cu in Darien Hemi V8
Powered by a 301-cu in Chevy engine, car #366, a gas lakester from Ravenna Garage Racing, goes after the 254.685 mph (458 km/h) D/GL record
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Powered by a 301-cu in Chevy engine, car #366, a gas lakester from Ravenna Garage Racing, goes after the 254.685 mph (458 km/h) D/GL record
If you're wondering about the truck: Push trucks are used because land speed record cars are geared so high for speed they need help accelerating from stop. Most vehicles we watched relied on such trucks
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If you're wondering about the truck: Push trucks are used because land speed record cars are geared so high for speed they need help accelerating from stop. Most vehicles we watched relied on such trucks
Car #366 getting up to speed
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Car #366 getting up to speed
Car #366 pulls away from its push truck and takes off down the salt
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Car #366 pulls away from its push truck and takes off down the salt
Target 550 driver gets ready to challenge the 417.020 mph (617 km/h) record in the AA/BFS (blown fuel streamliner) class
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Target 550 driver gets ready to challenge the 417.020 mph (617 km/h) record in the AA/BFS (blown fuel streamliner) class
The Target 550, car #678, is powered by not one, but two 500-ci Hemi V8 engines
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The Target 550, car #678, is powered by not one, but two 500-ci Hemi V8 engines
Car #316, a distinctive, shining fuel lakester, moves toward the starting line
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Car #316, a distinctive, shining fuel lakester, moves toward the starting line
1953 "Stupidbaker" 
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1953 "Stupidbaker" 
Reworked 1973 Alfa Romeo roadster running in the fuel modified sports category with an A engine
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Reworked 1973 Alfa Romeo roadster running in the fuel modified sports category with an A engine
In chatting with the driver of this modified Alfa Romeo from KKM Racing, we were told it packs a Chevy big block engine worth around 900 hp
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In chatting with the driver of this modified Alfa Romeo from KKM Racing, we were told it packs a Chevy big block engine worth around 900 hp
While its bodywork is anything but stock, KKM's Alfa has the stock steel tub underneath
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While its bodywork is anything but stock, KKM's Alfa has the stock steel tub underneath
KKM modified Alfa Romeo
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KKM modified Alfa Romeo
The artistic Alfa grille immediately caught our eye
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The artistic Alfa grille immediately caught our eye
There were a lot of Corvettes of all ages and tune, but this Sundowner #42 was probably our favorite of the lot
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There were a lot of Corvettes of all ages and tune, but this Sundowner #42 was probably our favorite of the lot
The Gerber-Tracy Special is listed as being powered by a 180-ci Esslinger four-cylinder engine
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The Gerber-Tracy Special is listed as being powered by a 180-ci Esslinger four-cylinder engine
The record for the F-engine/gas lakester class is 229.989 mph (370 km/h)
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The record for the F-engine/gas lakester class is 229.989 mph (370 km/h)
The 1948 Fiat-based Pigasus fuel competition coupe packs a 440-ci Chevy V8, according to the info published in the official program from Speed Week 2016
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The 1948 Fiat-based Pigasus fuel competition coupe packs a 440-ci Chevy V8, according to the info published in the official program from Speed Week 2016
You can tell this car has spent some serious time in the salt 
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You can tell this car has spent some serious time in the salt 
The record for the 3000cc APS-PBG motorcycle class: 201.226 mph (324 km/h)
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The record for the 3000cc APS-PBG motorcycle class: 201.226 mph (324 km/h)
Motorcycles were fairly rare on the long course where we spent most of our time because most were busy going for records on the short course, but the ones we saw were quite impressive to behold
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Motorcycles were fairly rare on the long course where we spent most of our time because most were busy going for records on the short course, but the ones we saw were quite impressive to behold
Inside the cockpit of the "Flyin' Bryan" motorcycle
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Inside the cockpit of the "Flyin' Bryan" motorcycle
Modified 1927 Ford Roadster takes aim at a speed of 247.749 mph (399 km/h)
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Modified 1927 Ford Roadster takes aim at a speed of 247.749 mph (399 km/h)
Inside The Fields Brothers 1927 fuel modified roadster
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Inside The Fields Brothers 1927 fuel modified roadster
The official program lists the #7557 with a 302-ci Chevy V8
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The official program lists the #7557 with a 302-ci Chevy V8
Another top competitor, the custom-built Carbiliner is a blown gas streamliner 
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Another top competitor, the custom-built Carbiliner is a blown gas streamliner 
The Carbiliner looks like a three-wheeler but is indeed a four-wheel car. The spread rear track is designed to give it stability that other streamliners don't have. The front wheels, on the other hand, are mounted in tandem.
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The Carbiliner looks like a three-wheeler but is indeed a four-wheel car. The spread rear track is designed to give it stability that other streamliners don't have. The front wheels, on the other hand, are mounted in tandem.
We watched the Carbiliner take off on one of several successful qualifying runs,  reaching a 363.115 mph (548 km/h) speed, but due to various mechanical problems, it never broke the record, which still stands at 348.342 mph (561 km/h) for the class
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We watched the Carbiliner take off on one of several successful qualifying runs,  reaching a 363.115 mph (548 km/h) speed, but due to various mechanical problems, it never broke the record, which still stands at 348.342 mph (561 km/h) for the class
Cars lined up and ready to go, Bonneville Speed Week 2016
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Cars lined up and ready to go, Bonneville Speed Week 2016
Cars lined up and ready to go, Bonneville Speed Week 2016
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Cars lined up and ready to go, Bonneville Speed Week 2016
The Hard Way lists in as a fuel-driven 1929 Ford Roadster with 412-ci Chevy V8
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The Hard Way lists in as a fuel-driven 1929 Ford Roadster with 412-ci Chevy V8
Cars lined up and ready to go, Bonneville Speed Week 2016
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Cars lined up and ready to go, Bonneville Speed Week 2016
At the starting line
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At the starting line
Taking off down the long course
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Taking off down the long course
Ferguson Racing #76, a 2000 Vesco-Nish streamliner with 2100cc Honda engine
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Ferguson Racing #76, a 2000 Vesco-Nish streamliner with 2100cc Honda engine
KKM modified Alfa Romeo ready to race
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KKM modified Alfa Romeo ready to race
The Alfa Romeo we checked out in line gets ready for its run
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The Alfa Romeo we checked out in line gets ready for its run
The record in this Alfa's sights: 254.763 mph (410 km/h)
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The record in this Alfa's sights: 254.763 mph (410 km/h)
Under all that slick bodywork, car #9913 from Stupidbaker Racing is actually a 1953 Studebaker
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Under all that slick bodywork, car #9913 from Stupidbaker Racing is actually a 1953 Studebaker
Racing in the gas competition coupe class, this Stupidbaker lists in with a 362-ci Chevy V8
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Racing in the gas competition coupe class, this Stupidbaker lists in with a 362-ci Chevy V8
The Stupidbaker prepares to run against a 293.857 mph (473 km/h) class record
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The Stupidbaker prepares to run against a 293.857 mph (473 km/h) class record
A peek inside car #9913
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A peek inside car #9913
Team Honda R&D streamliner
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Team Honda R&D streamliner
A beefed up VW Beetle prepares for its run
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A beefed up VW Beetle prepares for its run
The long line moved quite slowly our first day in Bonneville, but thinned out more and more as the week went on
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The long line moved quite slowly our first day in Bonneville, but thinned out more and more as the week went on
Cars lined up and ready to go, Bonneville Speed Week 2016
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Cars lined up and ready to go, Bonneville Speed Week 2016
Car #7557 inches forward
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Car #7557 inches forward
We spotted this playful car outside the main race area
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We spotted this playful car outside the main race area
We spotted this playful car outside the main race area
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We spotted this playful car outside the main race area
Car #74, a fuel streamliner
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Car #74, a fuel streamliner
Car #74, a fuel streamliner
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Car #74, a fuel streamliner
The impressive Turbinator II is the world's fastest wheel-driven car with a 458.481 mph (738 km/h) record
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The impressive Turbinator II is the world's fastest wheel-driven car with a 458.481 mph (738 km/h) record
Team Vesco's Turbinator II is powered by a new 4,500-hp Lycoming T55-L-712F gas turbine
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Team Vesco's Turbinator II is powered by a new 4,500-hp Lycoming T55-L-712F gas turbine
Team Vesco used Speed Week to test and tweak a new electronic control system that it believes will help it break 500 mph (805 km/h)
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Team Vesco used Speed Week to test and tweak a new electronic control system that it believes will help it break 500 mph (805 km/h)
Cars lined up and ready to go, Bonneville Speed Week 2016
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Cars lined up and ready to go, Bonneville Speed Week 2016
At the starting line
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At the starting line
Team Honda R&D readies its blown fuel streamliner
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Team Honda R&D readies its blown fuel streamliner
Honda's streamliner is driven by a 660cc engine
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Honda's streamliner is driven by a 660cc engine
The Honda driver listed in the official program is Hikaru Miyagi
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The Honda driver listed in the official program is Hikaru Miyagi
Honda got up to over 233 mph (375 km/h) on this run
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Honda got up to over 233 mph (375 km/h) on this run
One of the event's many Corvettes speeds off the line
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One of the event's many Corvettes speeds off the line
The most interesting push truck we saw, a stripped down Honda Pilot
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The most interesting push truck we saw, a stripped down Honda Pilot
Honda streamliner takes off
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Honda streamliner takes off
Honda streamliner takes off
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Honda streamliner takes off
Car #7243 is listed as a modified 1927 Ford Roadster with 218-ci Ford Model B four-cylinder flathead
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Car #7243 is listed as a modified 1927 Ford Roadster with 218-ci Ford Model B four-cylinder flathead
Bonneville Speed Week 2016
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Bonneville Speed Week 2016
Bonneville Speed Week 2016
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Bonneville Speed Week 2016
Bonneville Speed Week 2016
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Bonneville Speed Week 2016
The white salt makes a great backdrop for a brightly colored car
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The white salt makes a great backdrop for a brightly colored car
Bonneville Speed Week 2016
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Bonneville Speed Week 2016
This 1964 BMC Mini altered coupe is marked as a blown fuel car here but listed as a blown gas altered coupe in the program
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This 1964 BMC Mini altered coupe is marked as a blown fuel car here but listed as a blown gas altered coupe in the program
A classic Mini hungry for speed domination
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A classic Mini hungry for speed domination
The Hudson Boys' 1990 Geo Metro is listed as running a 1000cc Suzuki engine
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The Hudson Boys' 1990 Geo Metro is listed as running a 1000cc Suzuki engine
This Geo is listed as a blown gas competition coupe in the official Speed Week program but is marked as a blown fuel competition coupe here
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This Geo is listed as a blown gas competition coupe in the official Speed Week program but is marked as a blown fuel competition coupe here
The Hudson Boys Geo Metro competition coupe 
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The Hudson Boys Geo Metro competition coupe 
Car #651, listed as a 1965 Plymouth with 528-ci Chrysler V8
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Car #651, listed as a 1965 Plymouth with 528-ci Chrysler V8
The Dutchess is a blown gas competition coupe based on a 1965 Plymouth
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The Dutchess is a blown gas competition coupe based on a 1965 Plymouth
Bonneville Speed Week 2016
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Bonneville Speed Week 2016
Bonneville Speed Week 2016
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Bonneville Speed Week 2016
Motorcycles of Speed Week 2016
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Motorcycles of Speed Week 2016
Motorcycles of Speed Week 2016
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Motorcycles of Speed Week 2016
Spitfire LSR from Team McLeish Bros
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Spitfire LSR from Team McLeish Bros
Motorcycles of Speed Week 2016
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Motorcycles of Speed Week 2016
The Spitfire LSR
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The Spitfire LSR
Motorcycles of Speed Week 2016
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Motorcycles of Speed Week 2016
"Mighty Mouse" diesel truck
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"Mighty Mouse" diesel truck
A classic 1956 Watson Roadster in the Vintage Oval Track class
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A classic 1956 Watson Roadster in the Vintage Oval Track class
Power in car #5 comes from a 270-ci Offenhauser four-cylinder
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Power in car #5 comes from a 270-ci Offenhauser four-cylinder
It may be number 1961, but this MG is actually from 1960
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It may be number 1961, but this MG is actually from 1960
In the Blown Fuel Modified Sports Class, this MG is powered by a 302-ci Ford V8
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In the Blown Fuel Modified Sports Class, this MG is powered by a 302-ci Ford V8
In the pits, Speed Week 2016
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In the pits, Speed Week 2016
A look at car #1961's rear-end and parachute
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A look at car #1961's rear-end and parachute
In the pits, Speed Week 2016
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In the pits, Speed Week 2016
Motor power served up two very different ways
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Motor power served up two very different ways
Bikes of Bonneville
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Bikes of Bonneville
2002 Indian motorcycle with 1650cc motor
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2002 Indian motorcycle with 1650cc motor
In the pits, Speed Week 2016
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In the pits, Speed Week 2016
One of the fastest record breakers of the event, the Ferguson Racing #75 fuel streamliner set a 349.939-mph (563 km/h) record
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One of the fastest record breakers of the event, the Ferguson Racing #75 fuel streamliner set a 349.939-mph (563 km/h) record
Ferguson Racing #75 is listed with a 421-ci Ardun Chrysler V8 engine
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Ferguson Racing #75 is listed with a 421-ci Ardun Chrysler V8 engine
Bikes of Bonneville
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Bikes of Bonneville
In the pits, Speed Week 2016
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In the pits, Speed Week 2016
This vehicle looks like a streamliner here, but it's actually a gas lakester
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This vehicle looks like a streamliner here, but it's actually a gas lakester
One of the lighter, simpler two-wheelers of Speed Week
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One of the lighter, simpler two-wheelers of Speed Week
Team Vesco works on streamliner #444
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Team Vesco works on streamliner #444
The Turbinator II between runs
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The Turbinator II between runs
Motorcycles of Speed Week 2016
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Motorcycles of Speed Week 2016
Speed Week 2016
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Speed Week 2016
Speed Week 2016
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Speed Week 2016
"The Blonde Bitch" belly tank gas lakester powered by a 284-ci Ford flathead V8
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"The Blonde Bitch" belly tank gas lakester powered by a 284-ci Ford flathead V8
Car #9990, a blown gas streamliner
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Car #9990, a blown gas streamliner
This 2011 homebuilt streamliner is listed as powered by a 438-ci Chevy V8
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This 2011 homebuilt streamliner is listed as powered by a 438-ci Chevy V8
Frosted with salt
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Frosted with salt
2 Richards Racing blown gas modified roadster with 183-ci Ford Esslinger four-cylinder
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2 Richards Racing blown gas modified roadster with 183-ci Ford Esslinger four-cylinder
2012 B&J fuel lakester with 491-ci Chevy V8
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2012 B&J fuel lakester with 491-ci Chevy V8
ProtoFAB blown fuel lakester
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ProtoFAB blown fuel lakester
The Richmond & Stark blown fuel streamliner is listed with dual 386-ci Chevy V8s
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The Richmond & Stark blown fuel streamliner is listed with dual 386-ci Chevy V8s
Richmond & Stark blown fuel streamliner
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Richmond & Stark blown fuel streamliner
Cook Motor Racing "Cookie"
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Cook Motor Racing "Cookie"
Cook Motor Racing "Cookie"
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Cook Motor Racing "Cookie"
Corvette in the Production Grand Touring class
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Corvette in the Production Grand Touring class
Working toward the starting line
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Working toward the starting line
Blown gas modified roadster preparing for its run
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Blown gas modified roadster preparing for its run
Car #74 on the starting line
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Car #74 on the starting line
It may look like the Ferguson Racing #76 streamliner and Mariani Farms #73 roadster are about to battle it out down the course, but they're each preparing for their own individual runs
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It may look like the Ferguson Racing #76 streamliner and Mariani Farms #73 roadster are about to battle it out down the course, but they're each preparing for their own individual runs
On the starting line
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On the starting line
This Mariani Farms roadster had a great Speed Week. It set a new 263.676-mph (424-km/h) record in the C-engine (306 to 372.99 cu in/5.015 to 6.111L) Blown Gas Modified Roadster class on Wednesday morning before qualifying in the C-engine Blown Fuel Modified Roadster class (notice the revised number and class) Wednesday afternoon. It set the record in that class on Thursday morning with a 277.326-mph (446 km/h) speed
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This Mariani Farms roadster had a great Speed Week. It set a new 263.676-mph (424-km/h) record in the C-engine (306 to 372.99 cu in/5.015 to 6.111L) Blown Gas Modified Roadster class on Wednesday morning before qualifying in the C-engine Blown Fuel Modified Roadster class (notice the revised number and class) Wednesday afternoon. It set the record in that class on Thursday morning with a 277.326-mph (446 km/h) speed
Ferguson Racing on the starting line
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Ferguson Racing on the starting line
9990 prepares for its run
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9990 prepares for its run
Launching ... 
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Launching ... 
Car 906 takes off
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Car 906 takes off
Pulling away under its own engine power
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Pulling away under its own engine power
Car 242 is up
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Car 242 is up
Another launch
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Another launch
Car #316 rolling forward
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Car #316 rolling forward
Car #366 waits its turn
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Car #366 waits its turn