Need for Speed – Auto Racing

In 1898, Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat, set the first land speed record at a break-neck speed of 39.24 M.P.H. In October of 1997, Andy Green of Great Britain moved the needle past the 763 M.P.H mark and becoming the first person to break the sound barrier on land. The need for speed has come a long way.

Since the inception of the motorized vehicle, man as continually pushed the envelope when it comes to speed and how fast we can push our machines. Moreover, the innovation that comes with this need is truly amazing. Mr. Chasseloup-Laubat started with an electric powered vehicle to attain his record run and was a breakthrough in science of that day and today the drivers are using a turbofan, which is essentially an airplane engine.

Over the years, many types of engines have been used from the electric that was used in 1898 followed by steam powered and then the internal combustion engine to today’s turbofan, man will continually seek out a way to make the land vehicle faster. To look at the automobiles and vehicles that are breaking the sound barrier, you would see something that resembles a rocket, for a person to go that fast a rocket would definitely be needed.

If you ever have the chance to travel to some remote desert, like Nevada’s Black Rock where Mr. Green broke the sound barrier, to witness these speed records, fasten your seat belt, hold on and don’t blink because at these speeds the checkered flag is waved quickly.