| The Autopower/Parts Peddler Streamliner was destroyed on October 17th at 9:42am at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover, Utah.
Driven by Nolan White who was attempting to break his own Land Speed Record of 413 mph, set in August with his famous four-wheel drive Autopower/Parts Peddler Streamliner.
Conditions at the Salt Flats were near perfect. One of the best racecourses in years was available for this gallant task. The 72 year-old Land Speed Record legend was very confident of achieving another historic record.
Nolan’s plan was to run the racecourse from the opposite end first, then turn around and make the return run within the required one-hour timeframe.
Everything went as planned with a strong 422 mph fourth mile average speed, with a top speed even greater. Knowing the dangers of running this direction at the flats, Nolan had planned to only run four of the five timed miles, giving him plenty of room to decelerate.
The vehicle performed flawlessly, completing the first half of the record run. When the first parachute was deployed, it was immediately ripped off. Nolan then activated the second and third chutes, these also failed.* Nolan attempted the same emergency procedure he had successfully used this past August. At that time, Nolan steered the car off-course to a remote area of the Salt Flats, coming to a stop in the mud.
After slowing to approximately 300 mph, and slightly turning to the right to exit the racecourse, Nolan’s vehicle slid sideways for a half mile, dug in, and flipped violently for another quarter to half mile. When the vehicle finally came to a rest, Nolan was still fully secure within the well-built driver’s cockpit, conscious and briefly talking. While removing Nolan from the vehicle, he became unconscious. Bonneville’s rescue crew used the Jaws-of-Life to free Nolan from the confined cockpit. |
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