Infinity

 

There are some unsung heros in the world of LSR, racers that never made it into the record books, either because they didn't go fast enough or because they died trying. Glenn Leasher was one of them. The story of the Infinity is one that should be told and I guess that the reason that it is not that well known is because it ended so ugly.

Breedlove was on the salt at the same time in 1962 when the Infinity was there. Most of the runs at the Salt Flats are done in the early morning when there is almost no wind. But on this morning, September 10, 1962, it was a little windy. Enough so that Breedlove decided to pack it in for the day. Breedlove told Glenn about the wind but for whatever reason, Glenn decided to give it a try anyway.

The pieces of Infinity were spread out on the salt for miles. A wind gust picked up the car and it did end over after end over down the track for about a mile. Glenn, sitting directly in front of the engine, went through it, from all indications. All the wheels broke off of course, one of which rolled for 13 miles.
A ghostly image of Infinity at Bonneville, 1962 (courtesy Vic Elischer)
Another photo. Note that the driver is almost sitting inside the engine. (courtesy Vic Elischer)
Aftermath: the largest pieces of Infinity's wreckage at the Highway Department storage site leading out to the salt flats (courtesy Ron Christensen)
The wreckage was collected by the Utah Div. of Highways and for a few years, was on display at the entrance to the Salt Flats, a reminder to the racers trying the impossible, reminding them that if it was easy, anyone could do it.
Romeo Palamides (center) and Glenn Leasher (right) [Harry Burdg on left?]

Untouchable

The Untouchable had barnstormed up and down the West Coast with a coterie of drivers, first with Archie Liederbrand, next with Glen Leasher, who was fresh out of the cockpit of “Terrible Ted’s” Gotelli Speed Shop Special, Chrysler-powered Top-Fuel Dragster.

With Liederbrand driving, the Untouchable debuted in April, 1962 at Fontana and goes 209 mph, a track record. But this vehicle was really just a rolling test stand for the team. The real glory, prestige and payoff was at Bonneville, all they needed was another race car designed specifically for that task, as well as fresh bullet.
The Infinity started here with this car, the Untouchable. It, like the Infinity to come, was owned by Romeo Palamides. Romeo was into jet drag cars and thought he should build a LSR car. The Untouchable was driven by Archie Leiderbrand. Romeo's next machine, the Infinity was going to be driven by Glenn Leasher.

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