Dallas-based racer and businessman Charles Nearburg made history at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the Red Line Oil-equipped "Spirit of Rett" streamliner, breaking a 45-year-old land-speed record and also setting the fastest single-engine car record in history with an average speed of 414.5 mph. This eclipsed the Class 11 record (409.27 mph) set by the Summers Brothers "Goldenrod" in 1965.
On Tuesday, Sept 21, the "Spirit of Rett" made back-to-back speed runs over 400 mph under the watchful eye of FIA officials. The first run averaged 417 mph with an exit speed of 422.6 mph. According to FIA rules the Lee Ryan-led team was required to service the car in one hour and make a return run in the opposite direction. Facing more difficult wind and salt conditions on the return run, "Spirit of Rett" averaged 411.7 mph with a top speed of 417.65 mph. The two runs are combined for an average speed per FIA regulations.
In addition to this latest FIA record, "Spirit of Rett" also holds the four fastest unblown engine records at Bonneville and another FIA record, all of these at two-way average speeds between 348 mph and 392 mph.
Nearburg was very complimentary toward his suppliers and engineering partners. "The 523 cubic-inch GM DRCE engine built by Brad Morgan and Bruce Allen of Reher-Morrison performed absolutely to perfection and our Red Line oil had to work under extreme temperatures." Nearburg continued, "Over the last 45 years many people, many times, have attempted to break the record and we are very proud and humbled to have finally done so."
"What Charlie and his team achieved is really special, very significant," said Red Line president Tim Kerrigan. "To take a single NHRA Pro Stock-based engine and make it work in such a specialized endurance environment — on nitrous oxide no less — is a major achievement. Hats off to all involved for breaking one of the most difficult records in motorsports. We are thrilled that they selected Red Line 40WT Race Oil, WaterWetter and Red Line gear oils for the attempt and it is great to hear that our products assisted in the effort."
Named after Charlie’s son Rett, who died in 2005 after battling cancer, the "Spirit of Rett" effort was created in his memory (more information is available at rett.org). Contributions to aid in Ewing’s Sarcoma research can be made by donating to "The Rett Nearburg Initiative" at CureSearch – National Childhood Cancer Foundation and Children’s Oncology Group, www.curesearch.org.