One Day, Two Records!
1. World Land Speed Record for Standard Production Tires. (Previous Record: 317 kmh/197mph)
2. South African Land Speed Record (Previous Record:372.4 kmh/231.4mph)
NEW RECORD: 388.538 kmh/241.4mph
BID NOW AT: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/chevrolet-corvette-style-land-speed-car/
Dunlop wanted to use this 2002 Corvette Land Speed Record Car to set a world record for Standard Production Tires and break the South African Land Speed Record, as an enduring statement of the company's performance capability. This meant planning the project properly and sourcing a vehicle that could do justice to the performance of the Dunlop SP Sport 7000 D.
Investigations led the company to the specialist work- shops in the U.S., where nearly all the post-war World Land Speed Record vehicles have been assembled. The search led to world-respected custom designer of drag and land speed record vehicles, Mike Spitzer of Spitzer Race Cars, Indy. Spitzer, together with master engine builder Steve Schmidt of Steve Schmidt Racing (also of Indy) were commissioned to build a car around Dunlop's SP 7000 D tires; one that was capable of breaking land speed records.
Built to break records, the Spirit of Dunlop is essentially all engine and tires. Race engine specialist Steve Schmidt fitted a powerful 1300 HP 585 cubic inch Big Block Chevy engine that peaked at 8900 RPM into the custom- built chassis. Fueled with Unocal C118 high-octane methanol, Spirit of Dunlop boasts some impressive specifications.
Though the finished car bore a striking resemblance to a 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster, the similarity ended with the shape. Built around South African champion production car driver Grant van Swhalkwyk, Spirit of Dunlop was unique - to quote van Swhalkwyk, "This car is awesome!"
This amazing machine, built to set records, is now available to be inspected in Seattle, WA by appointment. Take a look at this great video, which tells the story of the record-breaking run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJtr-2Ulzak.
BID NOW at https://bringatrailer.com/listing/chevrolet-corvette-style-land-speed-car/