86-Year-Old American Driver Breaks Two Speed Records at Bonneville Salt Flats

Key summary

Gary Mantanga, an 86-year-old driver from California, set two new land speed records on October 25, 2024 (Thai calendar year 69), at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Driving a modified 1966 Plymouth Barracuda equipped with a Hemi engine and twin turbos producing over 2,400 horsepower, Mantanga first achieved 308 mph (approx. 495 km/h) in the gasoline-fueled category, surpassing his own previous record by 17 mph. He subsequently reached 310 mph (approx. 499 km/h) in the fuel category, breaking a standing record of 305 mph that had lasted for eight years. Mantanga noted that controlling the vehicle at such high speeds requires significant skill. Despite these challenges, he plans to return with a streamliner-style vehicle aiming for 400 mph (approx. 644 km/h). The Bonneville Salt Flats, located in the Great Salt Lake basin, cover over 30,000 acres of flat white salt crust and has hosted annual speed competitions since 1912.