Black Rock Desert - Land Speed Records

Land Speed Records

The flatness of the Black Rock Desert's lakebed surface has led to the area's use as a proving ground for experimental land vehicles. It was the site of two successful attempts on the World Land Speed Record:

  • In 1983, Richard Noble drove the jet-powered Thrust2 car to a new record of 633 mph (1,019 km/h). Noble also headed up the team that beat the Thrust 2 record.
  • In 1997, ThrustSSC became the world's first and only supersonic car, reaching 766 mph (1,233 km/h).

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Famous quotes containing the words land, speed and/or records:

    “The land was ours before we were the land’s.
    She was our land more than a hundred years
    Before we were her people.”
    —Robert Frost (1874–1963)

    “No speed of wind or water rushing by
    But you have speed far greater.”
    —Robert Frost (1874–1963)

    “My confessions are shameless. I confess, but do not repent. The fact is, my confessions are prompted, not by ethical motives, but intellectual. The confessions are to me the interesting records of a self-investigator.”
    —W.N.P. Barbellion (1889–1919)