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| 2001 Poster designed by Josh Hellewell, Rick Vesco's son-in-law. |
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Since setting the world's fastest wheel-driven record in 2001 and the passing of driver, Don Vesco in 2002, "The Turbinator" has been resting in Seattle, WA. Now that Mickey Thompson 500+ mph tires are available, Project Engineer, Lance Morris, is conducting a meticulous inspection, engine overhaul and dyno testing of #111 while future projects and goals are being considered by Rick Vesco.
Stay tuned for updates and photos. |
| "The Turbinator" is powered by a stock 3750 hp @ 16000 rpm internal combustion engine. The shaft (P.T.O.) drives the Turbinator's four-wheel drive system. The exhaust pressure is only 60 p.s.i. Lance Morris Engineering along with turbine expert, John Walters will modify the unit to produce a reliable 4400 hp @ 16500 rpm. It will be dyno tested at Bernie Little's facility in Seattle, WA, home of Miss Budweiser hydroplane. |
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| Don & Rick Vesco |
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| This photo was taken by Louise Noeth just minutes after setting the record. I didn't tell Don about this victory banner I had made prior to the race event. If you look carefully #58 of 458 is written with black electrical tape we stuck on when we were notified of the average speed from the official timer, Glen Barrett, Oct. 8, 2001. |
| This was a scary stop from the 470 mph run at SpeedWeek, '07. Don said this was a "shake down" run just to test the new gear box and chute deployment system -- some shake down! Remember at SpeedWeek you only have two miles to stop the car or in our case about 16 seconds @ 470+ mph. Even with both Stroud Safety chutes and CNC 4-wheel brake working perfectly Don went 1 mile beyond the end of the raceway missing most of the salt buckles. Don thought it was great fun! Thanks again to Bob Stroud and Chuck at CNC for the safety equipment and to Thomas "Pork Pie" Grap for a great photo. |
The Turbinator at full speed just prior to having a flat tire on the return run. Oct. 18, 2001.
Photo by Louise Noeth |
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| Don Vesco 1999 |
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| Don is posing with the Hot Rod Magazine trophy at the 1999 SpeedWeek event after turning 424 mph. Don is the only person to have received this annual award for both a car and a motorcycle (332 mph in 1978). |
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