After two years of research and development and two weeks of grueling 20-hour days, the Spectre Performance SpeedLiner is officially in the record books as the fastest Cadillac and Blown Gas Streamliner on earth.
Ontario, Calif. (October 12, 2009) – Competing in the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) AA/BGS class for streamlined vehicles running on gasoline, the Cadillac-powered SpeedLiner averaged 330.9 mph over the course of two runs with veteran driver Kenny Hoover at the wheel.
"To say that I'm thrilled is a gross understatement," said Spectre Performance founder and SpeedLiner owner Amir Rosenbaum. "The fact that we showed up in essentially an all-new car with an iron block Cadillac engine, went over 280 mph during the shakedown run, posted a record speed during the second run and backed up the record on the third run is simply incredible. Our driver Kenny Hoover did a fantastic job under enormous pressure and showed incredible skill behind the wheel. I also want to thank Steve Schmalz and the rest of the crew at Performance Fabrication for building such a refined car. This was a team effort and I can't wait to come back next year - I want to break our own record and the 400mph barrier."
The SpeedLiner made its first shakedown run on Friday, October 10th, surprising both witnesses and the crew with an incredible 287 mph first pass that ended at the three mile mark (on a five mile course), when Hoover shut the car down after the fire system malfunctioned. Less than 24 hours later the car was cleaned up and ready to run again, and its second pass on the legendary salt flat wowed onlookers with a record-setting 328mph average speed. In accordance with SCTA rules, the car was then immediately taken to impound and inspected, where it remained until the final "backup run" Sunday morning. At approximately 10:30am Sunday Hoover squeezed into the tight cockpit once more, and drove the black rocket-shaped racecar to its final run of the weekend, averaging 332 mph with a 340 mph course exit speed. The two run average is 330.569 mph -a new world record.
What started out as a fuel tank for a Canadian VooDoo bomber evolved into the SpeedLiner at Performance Fabrication in San Carlos, California. Built to compete in the Unlimited Blown Gas Streamliner (AA/ BGS) class, the SpeedLiner secured the record in large part thanks to aerodynamics: it is 38-feet long and only 29-inches wide. Body panels were hand-crafted out of aluminum with hammers and English wheels at the Northern California shop. Aerodynamicist Ken Rappaport consulted on the project and designed a tapered tail section that helps it slip through the air at high speed. The two-year build became a race to the salt in the last few weeks, as the SCTA World Finals loomed and the car was assembled by Schmalz and a crew of engineers, fabricators and volunteers - all of whom worked 20 hour days seven days a week until the car was loaded onto a trailer 24 hours before the race.
The engine, built by Cad Company of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a 529ci (8.8L) Cadillac with twin intercooled 88mm turbos drawing air through Spectre hpR® Air Filters rated at 1885 CFM each. Unlike most land speed cars that draw air directly from a scoop mounted atop the car, the SpeedLiner pulls air from high-pressure areas on the lower sides of the body. This helps with aerodynamics but collects up to 100 lbs of salt inside the body per run - which is why the hpR filters play a critical role in engine longevity. The exact same filters are available for street cars through the Spectre catalog.
Celebrating its 26th anniversary, Spectre Performance offers high performance air filters, Muscle Car cold air intakes and automotive accessories engineered and tested in the most extreme conditions on earth for maximum performance, durability and style. Look for Spectre products at all major automotive parts stores and performance part retailers. To learn more about the Spectre SpeedLiner land speed project or to find a dealer near you, visit our blog at SpectrePerformance.com/blog or: Spectre Performance, 1720 S. Carlos Ave. Ontario, CA 91761 or call (800) 821-4868.