Craig Breedlove's 1964 crash

[Sam Hawley]

I've posted some film on Youtube of Craig Breedlove's spectacular crash at Bonneville on Oct. 15, 1964. That was when he careened off the end of the course in his "Spirit of America" jet car after losing both his chutes and his brakes--and his steering, which broke when he was going into the mile. Included is the actual footage shot by the jet car's on-board camera. The camera was torn off in the crash into the brine pond but a diver managed to retrieve it.

One thing that's kind of confusing about Craig's crash: the brine pond where he ended up was not much more than ankle-deep. Unseen under the surface, however, was a very deep trench. "Spirit" careened across the thin sheet of water and plunked nose-first down into this trench. This is how Craig almost drowned in what seemed such shallow water. Anyway, here's the video!

https://youtu.be/I1zyFATEyoQ

(posted by Samuel Hawley, author of Ultimate Speed: The Fast Life and Extreme Cars of Racing Legend Craig Breedlove)

[manta22]

Thank you, Sam. Nice video.

Regards, Neil   Tucson, AZ

[4-barrel Mike]

Marvelous!

[kiwi belly tank]

There are still parts of that old dike & the bridge that crossed it still there on the other side of the embankment today.
  Sid.

[Doc B.]

Thanks Sam. BTW I enjoyed Speed Duel immensely.