Editing Craig Breedlove

{{Short description|American race driver (1937–2023)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Craig Breedlove
| image = Craig Breedlove 1968.jpg
| caption = Breedlove in a 1968 illustration 
| birth_date = {{birth date|1937|3|23}}
| birth_place = 
| death_date = {{death date and age|2023|4|4|1937|3|23}}
| death_place = [[Rio Vista, California]], U.S.
| nationality = American
| education = [[Venice High School (Los Angeles)|Venice High School]]
| spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Margaret Kastler|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|Lee Roberts|1962|1968|reason=divorced}}|
{{marriage|3 other spouses|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|Yadira|2002}}}}
| children = 3
| occupation = Professional race car driver
| known_for = {{ubl|Five-time world [[land speed record]] holder|''[[Spirit of America (automobile)|Spirit of America]]''}}
}} 

[[File:SpiritOfAmerica CraigBreedlove.jpg|thumb|[[Spirit of America (automobile)|Spirit of America]] originally on exhibit at the [[Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)|Museum of Science and Industry]] in Chicago]]

'''Norman Craig Breedlove Sr.'''<ref>{{cite web |url= https://performanceracing.com/magazine/industry-news/04-10-2023/land-speed-legend-craig-breedlove-86 |title= Land Speed Legend Craig Breedlove, 86 |work=Performance Racing |date=April 10, 2023 |accessdate=February 16, 2025}}</ref> (March 23, 1937 – April 4, 2023) was an American professional race car driver and a five-time world [[land speed record]] holder. He was the first person in history to reach {{convert|500|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, and {{convert|600|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, using several turbojet-powered vehicles, all named ''[[Spirit of America (automobile)|Spirit of America]]''.<ref name="NYT" />

==Land vehicle speed records==
In 1962,<ref name="Twite">{{cite book|last=Twite |first=Mike |chapter=Breedlove: Towards the sound barrier |title=World of Automobiles, Volume 2 |publisher=Orbis Publishing |page=231 |year=1974 |isbn=9781199229595}}</ref> he made his first attempt, in a freewheeling [[Motorized tricycle|tricycle]] (ignoring [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] rules requiring four wheels, at least two driven; in the event, [[Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|FIM]] happily accepted it)<ref name="Twite"/> powered by a [[General Electric J47]] turbojet engine.<ref name="Twite"/> On August 5, 1963, this first ''Spirit'' made its first record attempt, using just 90% of available thrust to reach {{convert|388.47|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} over the measured mile.<ref name="Twite"/> The return pass, on 95% power,<ref name="Twite"/> turned up a two-way average of {{convert|407.45|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Twite"/> ''Spirit of America'' was so light on the ground that it did not even need to change tires afterward.<ref name="Twite"/>

For 1964, Breedlove faced competition from [[Walt Arfons]]' ''[[Wingfoot Express]]'' (piloted by [[Tom Green (designer)|Tom Green]]),<ref name="Twite"/> as well as from brother [[Art Arfons]] in his four-wheel, FIA-legal [[Green Monster (automobile)|''Green Monster'']].<ref name="Twite"/> With more engine power, Breedlove upped the record to {{convert|468.72|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} "[w]ith almost insolent ease",<ref name="Twite"/> then to {{convert|526.28|mph|km/h|abbr=on}},<ref name="Twite"/> making him the first man to exceed {{convert|500|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Twite"/> This pass was not without incident, however, for one of his [[drogue parachute]]'s shroud lines parted, and ''Spirit of America'' ran on for {{convert|5|mi|km|abbr=on}} before hitting a telegraph pole and coming to rest in a lake.<ref name="Twite"/> This record stood all of twelve days before ''Green Monster'' broke it, recording a two-run average of {{convert|536.71|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Twite"/>

In response, Breedlove built an FIA-legal four-wheeler, [[Spirit of America (automobile)#Spirit of America - Sonic I|''Sonic I'']], powered by a {{convert|15000|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} [[General Electric J79|J79]] turbojet.<ref name="Twite"/><ref>{{cite book |title=Guinness Book of World Records 1979 |quote=The car was powered by a General Electric J79 GE-3 jet engine, developing 15000 lbs. static thrust at sea level. |page= [https://archive.org/details/guinnessbookofwo0000mcwh/page/296 296] |first=Ross |last=McWhirter |year=1978 |publisher=Sterling Publishing |isbn=9780806901305 |url= https://archive.org/details/guinnessbookofwo0000mcwh/page/296 |url-access=registration}}</ref> November 2, 1965, Breedlove entered the FIA record book with a two-run average of {{convert|555.483|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Twite"/> This lasted even less time than before, for ''Green Monster'' came back five days later at {{convert|576.553|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Twite"/> On November 15, Breedlove responded with a {{convert|600.601|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} record (after turning in an amazing {{convert|608.201|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} return pass),<ref name="Twite"/> which held until 1970.<ref name="Twite"/> (It would be broken by [[Gary Gabelich]]'s [[Blue Flame (car)|''Blue Flame'']], which reached {{convert|630.388|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.)<ref name="Twite"/> To take the record back, Breedlove planned a supersonic rocket car, "complete with ejector seat."<ref name="Twite"/> Also in 1965, Breedlove's wife, [[Lee Breedlove]], took the seat in ''Sonic 1'', making four passes and achieving {{convert|308.506|mph|km/h|abbr=on}},<ref name="Twite"/> making her the fastest woman alive, and making them the fastest couple, which they remain.<ref name="Twite"/> According to the author [[Rachel Kushner]], Craig had talked Lee into taking the car out for a record attempt to monopolize the [[Bonneville Salt Flats|salt flats]] for the day and block one of his competitors from making a record attempt.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/07/books/rachel-kushner-author-of-the-flamethrowers.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1& |title= Knowingly Navigating the Unknown |first=Maria |last=Russo |newspaper=The New York Times |date=May 6, 2013 |accessdate=June 14, 2014}}</ref>

During 1968, [[Lynn Garrison]], President of Craig Breedlove & Associates, started to package a deal that saw Utah's Governor, [[Calvin Rampton]], provide a hangar facility for the construction of a supersonic car. [[Bill Lear]], of Learjet fame, was to provide support, along with his friend [[Art Linkletter]]. [[Playboy]] magazine hoped to have the car painted black, with a white bunny on the rudder. TRW was supplying a lunar lander rocket motor. A change in public interest saw the concept shelved for some time. They also negotiated for the use of the late [[Donald Campbell]]'s wheel-driven ''[[Bluebird CN7]]'' record-breaker.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jerry |last=Kirshenbaum |url= http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1083549/3/index.htm |title=Craig Breedlove is the undisputed champion of a sport |date=April 27, 1970 |website=[[Sports Illustrated]] |access-date=June 14, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090504111627/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1083549/3/index.htm |archive-date=May 4, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Model of Donald Campbell Bluebird used in Breedlove promotion.png|thumb|[[Lynn Garrison]], as President of Craig Breedlove & Associates, obtained permission to use Bluebird on the Utah Salt Flats. This model was used in publicity]]

After a lengthy break from world records and making his name as a real estate agent, Breedlove began work on a new Spirit in 1992, eventually named ''[[Spirit of America (automobile)#Spirit of America - Formula Shell LSRV|Spirit of America Formula Shell LSRV]]''. The vehicle is 44&nbsp;ft. 10 in. long, 8&nbsp;ft. 4 in. wide, and 5&nbsp;ft. 10 in. high (13.67 m by 2.54 m by 1.78 m) and weighs {{convert|9000|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}, construction is on a steel tube or [[space frame]] with an [[aluminium]] skin body. The engine is the same as in the second Spirit, a J79, but it is modified to burn [[unleaded gasoline]] and generates a maximum thrust of 22,650 [[lbf]] (100.75 [[kilonewton|kN]]).<ref>{{cite web |last=Vaughn |first=Mark |date=May 7, 2014 |title=Breedlove's Back! |url= http://autoweek.com/news/a1895431/breedloves-back/ |access-date=April 6, 2023 |work=Autoweek}}</ref>

The second run of the vehicle on October 28, 1996, in the [[Black Rock Desert]], [[Nevada]], ended in a crash at around {{convert|675|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Craig Breedlove laying plans for new land speed record attempt |url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2014/06/05/craig-breedlove-laying-plans-for-new-land-speed-record-attempt |first=Kurt |last=Ernst |date=May 6, 2014 |work=Hemmings |access-date=April 8, 2023}}</ref> Returning in 1997, the vehicle badly damaged the engine on an early run and when the British [[ThrustSSC]] managed over {{convert|700|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, the re-engined Spirit could do no better than {{convert|676|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. Breedlove believed the vehicle was capable of exceeding {{convert|800|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, but was never tested.<ref>{{cite news |last=Heiler |first=Fred |date=May 11, 2012 |title=A Man With an Irresistible Urge to Run Wide Open |newspaper=The New York Times |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/automobiles/a-man-with-an-irresistible-urge-to-run-wide-open.html |access-date=April 6, 2023}}</ref>

In late 2006, Breedlove sold the car to [[Steve Fossett]], who planned to attempt the land speed record in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.landracing.com/index.php/2-news-and-articles/news/86-steve-fossetts-jet-powered-land-speed-record-challenger-nears-completion-at-nevada-base |title=Steve Fossett's Jet-Powered Land Speed Record Challenger Nears Completion at Nevada Base |date=July 12, 2007 |website=landracing.com |accessdate=April 8, 2023}}</ref> Fossett died in a plane crash in 2007, and the car was put up for sale.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/14/steve-fossetts-land-speed-racer-is-up-for-sale/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0 |title=Steve Fossett's Land Speed Racer Is Up for Sale |first=Richard S. |last=Chang |date=October 14, 2010 |newspaper=The New York Times |accessdate=June 14, 2014}}</ref> Breedlove's vehicle, renamed the "Sonic Arrow", was rolled out on the Black Rock Desert for a photo opportunity on October 15, 2007. The car is now on permanent display in the [[Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Spirit of America – Sonic Arrow |work=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum |url= https://wingsmuseum.org/exhibits/spirit-of-america-sonic-arrow/ |access-date=April 8, 2023}}</ref>

==Endurance and speed records for AMC==
<!-- FAIR USE of 1968 AMX Breedlove Records Champion Plug AD.jpg:
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[[File:1968 AMX Breedlove Records Champion Plug AD.jpg|right|thumb|An ad promoting Breedlove shattering speed records in a production [[AMC AMX]] ]]

Breedlove was put on the payroll at [[American Motors Corporation]] (AMC) in 1968 to prepare the automaker's pony and high-performance cars, the [[AMC Javelin|Javelin]] and the [[AMC AMX|AMX]], for speed and endurance records.<ref>{{cite book |last=Mitchell |first=Larry G. |title=AMC Muscle Cars |publisher=MBI Publishing |year=2000 |page=102 |isbn=9780760307618 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=JHVaQFDrx_MC&dq=Craig+Breedlove&pg=RA1-PT64 |via=Google Books |access-date=December 1, 2023}}</ref>

In January 1968, one month before the official introduction of the AMX model, Breedlove, his wife Lee, and Ron Dykes,<ref>{{cite book|last=Gunnell |first=John |title=Standard Catalog of American Muscle Cars 1960–1972 |year=2006 |publisher=Krause Publications |isbn=9780896894334 |page= 15 }}</ref> established fourteen [[United States Automobile Club]] (USAC) and [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] (FIA) certified speed records for cars of any engine size, and 106 national and international speed and endurance records for cars with less than {{convert|488|CID|L|1|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=American Motoring |volume=5 |issue=2 |date=March–April 1981 |url= http://amxfiles.com/amc/breedlove.html |accessdate=April 8, 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/19981201185056/http://amxfiles.com/amc/breedlove.html |archive-date=December 1, 1998}}</ref>

Two cars were prepared for the endurance speed runs on a five-mile banked track in Texas.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2008/05/09/theyll-call-it-the-texas-takeover-breedlove-amx-record-attempt |title=…they'll call it the Texas Takeover: Breedlove AMX record attempt |first=Daniel |last=Strohl |date=May 9, 2008 |work=Hemmings |accessdate=April 8, 2023}}</ref> The shattered records included a Class C AMX (the No. 2 Lee Breedlove car) with the standard {{convert|290|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} [[AMC V8 engine]] (bored to 304 cubic inches) with a 4-speed manual transmission, achieving a 24-hour average of {{convert|140.79|mi/h|km/h|2|abbr=on}} that was set by Craig and his wife Lee. New records in a Class B AMX (the No. 1 Craig Breedlove car) using the optional {{convert|390|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} [[AMC V8 engine|"AMX" V8]] (397 cubic inches) with a 3-speed automatic transmission, that included a {{convert|75|mi|km|0|adj=on}} distance with a flying start at {{convert|174.295|mi/h|km/h|3|abbr=on}}, as well as a {{convert|173.044|mi/h|km/h|3|abbr=on}} over a {{convert|100|mi|km|0|adj=on}} distance from a standing start.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.amx-perience.com/arecord.htm |title=A Record Setter, 1968 |website=amx-perience.com |url-status=dead |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120208052251/http://www.amx-perience.com/arecord.htm |archivedate=February 8, 2012 |accessdate=April 8, 2023}}</ref>

After the cars were displayed at the [[Chicago Auto Show]] in February 1968, Breedlove took the AMX to Bonneville. He established a USAC sanctioned record of {{convert|189|mph|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |author=((Auto editors of ''Consumer Guide'')) |date=May 15, 2007 |title=American Motors AMX |url= http://auto.howstuffworks.com/american-motors-sports-cars.htm |website=auto.howstuffworks.com |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201023004644/http://auto.howstuffworks.com/american-motors-sports-cars.htm |archive-date=October 23, 2020 |accessdate=April 8, 2023}}</ref> as well as an unofficial run of over {{convert|200|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.legendarycollectorcars.com/project-cars-legendary-collector-cars/1969-amx-by-american-motors-corporation/ |title=1969 AMX by American Motors Corporation |publisher=Legendary Collector Cars |accessdate=April 8, 2023}}</ref>

Later in the year, American Motors entered three similarly equipped Javelins with {{convert|343|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} [[AMC V8 engine]]s in the C/Production class at Bonneville.<ref name="BreedloveJavelin">{{cite web |url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2012/02/29/breedlove-javelin-mickey-thompson-corvette-and-prudhomme-pepsi-challenger-to-cross-the-block |title=Breedlove Javelin, Mickey Thompson Corvette, and Prudhomme Pepsi Challenger to cross the block |first=Daniel |last=Strohl |date=February 29, 2012 |work=Hemmings |accessdate=April 8, 2023}}</ref> The racing class limits modifications to aerodynamics, but requires changes for safety and also allows engine modifications.<ref name="Hagerty">{{cite web |url= https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/land-speed-legend-craig-breedlove-set-a-production-car-record-in-this-1968-javelin/ |title=Land-speed legend Craig Breedlove set a production car record in this 1968 Javelin |first=Brandan |last=Gillogly |date=May 2, 2022 |work=Hagerty |access-date=April 8, 2023}}</ref> The cars included [[Edelbrock]] cross-ram "STR-11" intake manifolds with two Holley carburetors, special cylinder heads that were modified by Joe Mondello (an engine builder who became known for Oldsmobile engines) as well as "Doug's" [[exhaust manifold]]s, and "Crower" camshafts.<ref name="Hagerty"/> During November 1968, the "Speed Spectacular Javelin" run by Breedlove was the fastest, reaching {{convert|161.73|mi/h|km/h|2|abbr=on}} establishing a speed record that stood for several years.<ref name="BreedloveJavelin"/>

== Death ==
Breedlove died on April 4, 2023, at the age of 86, at home in [[Rio Vista, California]]. The cause of death was cancer, his wife, Yadira Breedlove, said.<ref name="NYT">{{cite web |last=Vaughn |first=Mark |date=April 5, 2023 |title=Craig Breedlove, First to Drive 500, 600 MPH, Dies at 86 |url= https://www.autoweek.com/racing/more-racing/a43521840/craig-breedlove-first-to-drive-500-600-mph-dies-at-86/ |access-date=April 5, 2023 |work=Autoweek}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Traub |first=Alex |date=2023-04-09 |title=Craig Breedlove, Once the Fastest Man on Earth, Dies at 86 |newspaper=The New York Times |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/09/obituaries/craig-breedlove-dead.html |access-date=2023-04-10}}</ref>

== Awards and legacy ==
In 1993 Breedlove was inducted into the [[Motorsports Hall of Fame of America]] and in 2000 into the [[International Motorsports Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.mshf.com/hall-of-fame/inductees/craig-breedlove.html |title=Craig Breedlove |work=Motorsports Hall of Fame of America |access-date=April 8, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Craig Breedlove – Class of 2000 |url= http://www.motorsportshalloffame.com/Hall-of-Fame-Members/Bio.aspx?q=Craig%20Breedlove |publisher=International Motorsports Hall of Fame |access-date=June 14, 2014 |archive-date=August 8, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180808210016/http://www.motorsportshalloffame.com/Hall-of-Fame-Members/Bio.aspx?q=Craig%20Breedlove |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2009, he was inducted into the [[Automotive Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Craig Breedlove |work=Automotive Hall of Fame |year=2009 |url= https://www.automotivehalloffame.org/honoree/craig-breedlove/ |access-date=April 8, 2023}}</ref>

[[The Beach Boys]]' song "Spirit of America" was "inspired by Breedlove's land speed record, set in 1963."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/song/spirit-of-america-mt0045572603 |title=Song Review by Matthew Greenwald |publisher=allmusic.com |accessdate=June 14, 2014}}</ref>

==Land vehicle speed records==
*August 5, 1963 – Breedlove reached {{convert|407.45|mi/h|km/h|2|abbr=on}} in ''Spirit of America'' at [[Bonneville Salt Flats]], Utah, thus earning him the [[land speed record]].<ref name="Twite" />
*October 13, 1964 – Breedlove reached {{convert|468.719|mi/h|km/h|3|abbr=on}} in ''Spirit of America'' at Bonneville, reclaiming the record from [[Art Arfons]].<ref name="Twite" />
*October 15, 1964 – Just two days later, Breedlove broke his own record and breached the 500&nbsp;mph barrier at {{convert|526.277|mi/h|km/h|3|abbr=on}}, in ''Spirit of America'' at Bonneville.<ref>{{cite web |title=Craig Breedlove's Quest For The Land Speed Record |url= https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2018/10/19/craig-breedlove-spirit-of-america-land-speed-record |access-date=April 6, 2023 |website=wbur.org}}</ref>
*November 2, 1965 – Breedlove reached {{convert|555.483|mi/h|km/h|3|abbr=on}} in ''Spirit of America Sonic I'' at Bonneville, reclaiming the record from Art Arfons.<ref>{{cite web |title=Spirit of America Sonic 1 – Craig Breedlove |url= https://landspeedrecord.org/spirit-of-america-sonic-1-craig-breedlove/ |access-date=April 6, 2023 |website=landspeedrecord.org}}</ref>
*November 15, 1965 – Thirteen days later, Breedlove breached the 600&nbsp;mph barrier at {{convert|600.601|mi/h|km/h|3|abbr=on}}<ref name="Twite"/> in ''Spirit of America Sonic I'' at Bonneville.<ref>{{cite web |title=Breedlove's First Car A Real Draw At The Museum Of Science And Industry |url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-11-10-9611100402-story.html |access-date=April 6, 2023 |work=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Breedlove, Craig}}
[[Category:1937 births]]
[[Category:2023 deaths]] 
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in California]]
[[Category:American Motors people]]
[[Category:International Motorsports Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Land speed record people]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing]]
[[Category:Racing drivers from California]]