"The Blue Flame"

The Blue Flame was designed and built for the specific purpose of obtaining the absolute land speed record. The rocket propulsion system for the car was developed by reaction Dynamics - the company formed by Pete Farnsworth, Ray Dausman and Dick Keller, The rocket was fueled by a combination of high-test peroxide and liquified natural gas (LNG) which was pressurized by helium gas. At full power, the rocket developed a full thrust of 22,500 lbf which is the equivalent of 58,000 HP.   With the sponsorship of the American Gas Association and technical assistance from the Institute of Gas Technology, The Blue Flame was brought to the Bonneville Salt Flats, UT in October of 1970. The second stage of the rocket engine was damaged. As a result it was modified so the engine was only putting out a little more than half (13,000 lbf / 35,000 HP) of its full power.   On October 23, driver Gary Gabelich piloted The Blue Flame to a new world land speed record of 622.407 MPH for the flying mile and 630.388 MPH for the flying kilometer.    The Blue Flame survives today and is on permanent exhibition at the Auto and Technik Museum Sinsheim in Germany.