Speed Duel

Speed Duel chronicles the 1960s land speed record rivalry between Craig Breedlove and Art Arfons. The two men competed to become the first person to break the 400, 500, and 600 mph barriers on land in their jet-powered vehicles. Author Samuel Hawley reconstructs the technical challenges, personal sacrifices, and life-threatening risks faced by these amateur racers. The narrative follows their parallel journeys from modest beginnings to the Bonneville Salt Flats, where they repeatedly traded the land speed record back and forth. The book details the engineering, financing, and logistical hurdles overcome by both men as they built and rebuilt their machines. Their story intersects with the broader cultural shifts of 1960s America, including the space race and advances in jet technology. Through this dual biography, Hawley examines themes of ambition, technological innovation, and the human drive to push beyond established limits. The rivalry between Breedlove and Arfons represents a unique moment in motorsports history when individual passion could still compete with corporate racing programs.

Readers describe this as a gripping account of the 1960s land speed record battles between Art Arfons and Craig Breedlove. Most appreciate Hawley's thorough research and the human drama behind the technical details. Readers liked: - The level of detail about the engineering and mechanics - Personal stories and backgrounds of the key figures - Fast-paced narrative style - Historical photos and documentation - Balance between technical content and storytelling Common criticisms: - Some technical sections too dense for casual readers - A few readers wanted more details about the vehicles - Minor editing issues noted in early editions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (51 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Reads like a thriller while delivering solid history" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect blend of human interest and engineering" - Goodreads reviewer "Makes you feel like you're there on the salt flats" - LibraryThing review

Go Like Hell by A.J. Baime The 1960s rivalry between Ford and Ferrari at Le Mans brings the same intensity of competition and technological advancement found in the land speed record battles.

The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe The Mercury astronauts' quest to break barriers in space parallels the competitive spirit and risk-taking of the land speed record chasers.

Faster by Neal Bascomb The 1930s European racing scene chronicles a similar pursuit of speed and engineering excellence between Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union.

Beast by Mick Doohan and Peter Clifford The development of Craig Breedlove's Spirit of America jet car presents another chapter in the land speed record history with parallel technical challenges.

The Land Speed Record by Cyril Posthumus The complete chronological documentation of land speed record attempts provides context and background to the specific rivalry covered in Speed Duel.

🏎️ The record-breaking land speed rivalry between Craig Breedlove and Art Arfons in the 1960s took place primarily at the Bonneville Salt Flats, where both men pushed their jet-powered cars beyond 400, then 500, and eventually 600 mph. 🔧 Craig Breedlove's famous "Spirit of America" vehicle was built using the engine from a surplus F-4 fighter jet, which he purchased for only $500 during the Cold War era. ⚡ Author Samuel Hawley spent over seven years researching this book, conducting extensive interviews with both Breedlove and Arfons before Arfons passed away in 2007. 💨 In just 46 days during 1965, the land speed record was broken eight times as Breedlove and Arfons traded the title back and forth in an intense battle of speed and engineering. 🌟 Despite the fierce competition, both men developed a mutual respect and remained friends throughout their lives, often helping each other with repairs and technical advice even as they tried to break each other's records.