LSR
History Of
The Bonneville
The pursuit of land speed records is a testament to human ingenuity, engineering brilliance, and the relentless drive to push the limits of what’s possible. From the early pioneers on the Bonneville Salt Flats to today’s cutting-edge streamliners, every attempt to break the speed barrier has shaped the legacy of motorsport innovation. The LSR Project proudly carries this torch, aiming to make history by conquering the elusive 500 mph milestone.
The Bonneville Salt Flats, which is a remnant of the ancient Lake Bonneville of glacial times, is named for Benjamin Bonneville, a US army officer who explored the area in northwestern Utah. With salt recorded at a depth of 6 feet in certain areas, the Bonneville Salt Flats are public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Because the area is extremely flat and rainfall flattens the densely-packed sand, the Bonneville Salt Flats are recognized as a perfect landscape for speed-testing.
Chet Herbert, Doug's dad, was one of the early pioneers of racing in Bonneville. Take this opportunity to view some of Chet's many Bonneville cars.
It was in 1896 that the potential of the Salt Flats for speed-testing was first recognized and by 1914 the first attempt of an automobile speed record was performed. By the 1930s the Salt Flats had gained international attention as the number of racers coming to compete at the flats increased. By the late 1940s the area was recognized as the standard course for world land speed records. Since racers began competing at the Flats hundreds of records have been set and broken in a variety of automotive and motorcycle classes, including the 300, 400, 500, and 600 mile per hour land speed barriers.
The annual Speed Week, which is held in mid-August, along with the World Finals, draws competitors from around the world. The SCTA (Southern California Timing Association), which is an all-volunteer organization comprised of twelve individual clubs, manages Speed Week, which features thousands of racers attempting to set new records in their respective classes.
To learn more about the SCTA or Speed Week.
