The World's Fastest Electric Vehicles Didn't Go Very Fast At The Bonneville Salt Flats This Year

[@Music-kz9ol]

I have a couple of friends from Sweden who vacationed in the US. They bought a used diesel VW Rabbit they visited Bonnivle They discovered that there were no records for their car, after jumping through the necessary hoops, they set the record for their class 72 mph. 😀

[@GTFour]

Citation needed! as that's an awesome story

[@edw.b856]

Same result, different venue - the South Dakota state patrol officer couldn't understand why I was so happy to receive that 72mph ticket. Only ticket I've ever framed 😎

[@jeremypilot1015]

Fun story but there is no official record for it. I check all 910 records for Bonneville. 1) there isn't a class listed that this car would fit into other than unblown production car, however those don't include diesels. There actually is no class listed with any record for a diesel car ( a truck named "Jesse's Truck Shop" ) holds the slowest record and that was 87.259mph.

[@gavinoliver8074]

@@jeremypilot1015 you checked all 910 records? You must be fun at parties.

[@jeremypilot1015]

@@gavinoliver8074 the official sight has all the records listed by year and class it actually only took a few minutes to find the class and find that this is a wives tale.

[@mqbitsko25]

Air density is a constant for all contestants, but not for all locations. Bonneville is at over 4000 feet elevation. That helps electrics especially since they run through thinner air but don't need to "drink" it. No combustion.

[@rileybriggs4731]

I cannot even imagine the sheer terror of driving a 5,000 horsepower gas turbine engine over 500 miles per hour. Jesus. Also, I crew chinooks from the unit in the picture so that was a nice surprise 9:43

[@slckb0y65]

as an adrenaline junkie, i see it as a 10" long thumb wide stretch of pure bolivian bugger sugar.

[@skinife]

SuperfastMatt is one of the greatest one-man-show about cars on KZbin

[@jcorkable]

“One of the greatest shows about cars on youtube” “The greatest one-man show about cars on youtube” Take your pick. Otherwise, them’s fightin’ words…

[@andylewis7360]

Absolutely the very best report from Bonneville Speed Week I’ve ever watched. No preconceived ideas about the viewers’ knowledge of the event or venue. Some very well-explained science, introduced the human element and a small but interesting choice of teams to pay closer attention to. I’m looking forward to Mat’s Electric Speed Week Report becoming a KZbin institution. Great job, Matt. 😊👍🏻

[@bugjuicer]

I helped a mate get his ZX10 ready for the Salt and shipped over from NZ. We spent almost a month in 2012 with a week on the Salt - was the best damn motor racing experience I've ever had and childhood dream. Would love to go back and have another go. We got to 186mph and just couldn't get any quicker because of wheel spin. He later returned (without me) and broke that record, but didn't quite get the red cap, which was his aim.. We'll have another crack when the world returns to some sort of normal level!

[@powerwheelscd]

Don Vesco was a Legend. I met him at SEMA 1997 right after he went nearly 440 mph in Turbinator with an old L11 T55. Good to see the team upgraded to a -714. RIP one of the most unsung heroes of motorsports.

[@corglass]

Your narratives are brilliant

[@JunKus3R]

I rate them 420.69 out of 10.

[@apersunthathasaridiculousl1890]

420,690,000

[@theuniqid]

His narratives are brilliant. All hail the algo... I can pick all traffic lights on a blurry picture better than a hum...

[@BobSkating]

He is like "not just bikes"

[@samcmusic3031]

They should add a steam powered category…

[@Brotherkiller17]

Yes

[@Mike-ru6ni]

It's covered under Omega

[@normanmadden]

A top speed category for nuclear test powered manhole covers would be interesting.

[@troo_story]

'Bonneville. Named by the French as Bona Villa, meaning a sh*tload of salt". 🤣🤣 You're definitely an honorary Brit Humourmaker.

[@winzracingNZ]

That tow hitch at the end. Priceless

[@Weisz]

This is a great video, thanks for all the extra info! Wish i could have been there for more than one day this year.

[@brianb-p6586]

Thank you for the very informative report, and thank you for being a decent and considerate person: @12:42 "I didn't want to make it worse with my stupid questions".

[@Tommy_Mac]

It looked like it broke the blower belt, the belt then took flight through the hood and possibly struck the driver with debris as the wind screen is shattered. The throttle blades look like they are stuck wide open, too. Must have been pretty brutal. I'd have parked it too...

[@JackMott]

In the book "The Unfair Advantage" by Mark Donahue, he gets some advice early on from a friend: "If you go racing, go first class" which I thought about when that poor guy's tow van had all the failures.

[@mica4153]

This is an excellent video. I went into it knowing nothing about Bonneville or vehicle classes or anything. heck I had no idea there were even rules!

[@SuperfastMatt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@U_ever]

Thanks for doing such a great job recording and reporting on Bonneville for those of us who unfortunately missed yet another great year of trials. Nicely done !

[@edwardhalpin7503]

Someday!

[@DaftFader]

I love your sarcastic style of narration! It makes this ten time more interesting! 😁

[@clayz1]

11:29 Guy’s got a hot glue gun and a welding helmet. LOL That some style right there.

[@timothymay9499]

Hi Matt. I have been to Bonneville 5 times, drove a car at 150 mph, and met a lot of great people there. Yes, it can be heartbreaking, out in the middle of no where, no parts stores, no garages, etc. You better have everything you need or else make a 90 mile trip to Salt lake City for parts, except on Sunday as most places are closed. I did that once for some diff bearings. Matt, if you have a chance, I would like to correspond with you about doing an electric retrofit project, like your Jag. Let me know how to proceed. Thanks Tim

[@unnamedracer9757]

It only takes 200mph to get the red hat!? Sounds like I need to do that for as little money as possible 😂

[@intheshell35ify]

Equation pops up at 2:42, subscribed by 2:43. Subscribed squared at the outing of the Red Garter!!

[@davidwbybee3450]

Job well done. I like your narration and attitude. No drama and good broad coverage. 4 STARS

[@donovanreimer2324]

Your videos are incredible. Really really polished. Terrific pacing and narration. Respect!

[@pfflyer3381]

Thank you, excellent video! Heard every word! And the Stanley Clark style, WHEN no one is SPEAKING! Perfect. My tinnitus, thanks you!

[@reallyanti]

Oh hey, that's my home town. I grew up on the salt. Thanks for supporting Speed Week. Glad I caught this upload fast.

[@mikethompson7046]

Dude I love your videos. I always get motivated to go back out to wrench after watching your stuff

[@tonydotnottingham]

Really enjoyable as ever, thanks for sharing Matt!

[@willusher3297]

lol - 9:00 "Warning: Do *NOT* let out the hamster"

[@krazed0451]

I'm enjoying these event breakdowns :-)

[@grendelum]

thanks for the link to shea’s project, it’s wildly cool and man, talk about the worst luck...

[@richardlibby2407]

Great report with the expected and desired amount of snark. Can’t wait to see your Jag going.

[@paulhimle]

A previous boss has raced on the salt flats for decades and the salt used to be much much thicker but the salt mining has depleted it quite a bit. He always had great stories and he was very down to earth. I think he mostly consults now and not so much on the driving side.

[@xenuno]

I spose they won't ever protect the area or won't until salt depth is nothing more than a light crust. Not that the oil, solvents, and garbage left by crews isn't enough of a threat ..

[@TheRflynn]

Salt mining? Hardly mining but I get the point. Edit “The flats' overall area has contracted significantly over the past several decades.[9] The cause or causes of this remain unclear, but many believe adjacent evaporative potash mining is the primary factor.”

[@richcook9808]

Thanks Matt. Love your channel.

[@markduncan525]

I stayed at that hotel. One star is very generous. Great video!

[@robdiepenbroek338]

666 Nebulous Theorem was designed and originally built by Jack Costella, a land speed legend who's other vehicles, 5050, 8080, 959, 8282, 788, to name a few, hold dozens of records and are responsible for a good amount of the rules in the SCTA regulations due to Jacks innovative experiments with aerodynamics and engineering. Sadly Jack passed away last January but his creations live on. Look him up on U-tube. Little 5050 had the rider laying head first on their belly, it went 215mph with a 250cc gas engine. 130mph with a little 80cc engine. The Driver/re-builder of 666 and the 8282 Lakester is Jim Hoogerhyde who drove the Electroliner Lakester last year to its record speed. A game of perciverance and dodging bad luck, as Jack's old van displays, Racing is work, winning is fun, There will be lots of electric racing and fun in the future.

[@amicloud_yt]

Bruh that single seater tesla "concept art" looks so badass

[@superdupergrover9857]

OK, we need to spam Rich Rebuilds with this!

[@operator8014]

Would preorder.

[@TheSOHO92]

@Mike bruh

[@joesephjoestar4449]

@Mike BRUH

[@xploration1437]

Hurb

[@dfabeagle718]

I laughed, I cried... it was better than Cats! (tossing scraps at the all powerful algorithm)

[@iowa_don]

I finally watched your two Honda S600 videos (and Leno's 1964 Honda S600 Hot Rod video) and now I understand the Jag build. You had your 16 minutes and 36 seconds of fame (most of it with a HUGE grin on your face) and you want to catch Jay's eye again with your 1950 silent electric Jag. I bet it works.

[@chrishenniker5944]

His Honda’s just so cute.

[@WafflerSupreme]

I should be working but I’m here….worth it.

[@MrCrankyface]

So glad I found your channel a while back. Love both the projects you're doing and your reporting if that's the word of other scenes like this and the hill climb video!

[@G60syncro]

Falling over at 10mph reminded me of the time I drove my quattro in the ditch... If you live in the snow belt, you'll get it... I was going to work one morning and its was one of those surprise last snowfall of spring where there's barely anything left on the ground but a 2" sprinkle with a dash of freezing rain will make your daily commute that much more interesting! I stopped on the shoulder of the on ramp of the freeway to tap some ice buildup off my wipers... I hadn't realized I was just a foot past the shoulder and two wheels were on the slimy grass/snow concoction waiting to ruin my day. As I tried to pull onto the road, the car just slipped sideways and my early morning arrival was doomed!! The tow truck guy was laughing at me: "So basically you got in there from a stand still, right?" ....Yeah, just rub it in!!

[@paradiselost9946]

lol, mate and i went to go look at a creek under recently closed bridge/road. heavy rain. got too close when we parked, just slipping and sliding when we went to leave... starting to look ominous as we approach the edge. not sure how i got us out, but it was a combination of broken ratchet strap, buckets of wet sand, and a few big sticks and a driver with the sense to rock back and forth and not use the throttle. just as we get out, silly old busybody comes poking her nose in, jumps out of nowhere in the pouring rain, just as we get traction and start taking off at full throttle and suddenly theres a loony bat shining a flashlight in our eyes... um.... you dont stand in front of a car with its wheels spinning whilst the engines revving at redline! not when its dark, its raining, and we have no freaking idea you are THERE! full lock, hard brakes... and... we ended up in the creek. all that effort wasted because of that silly bitch. with a written off car. its an 8 metre drop! starts screaming we tried running her over. whilst we have fractured ribs, bleeding noses, concussion, the works. dont mind that we also nearly drowned. the creek was up. insurance company and police took a different view with the dashcam ;) we assume she had to sell to meet costs... cus the property was for sale a few months later, lol.

[@pootispiker2866]

Winter tires make all the difference

[@phukfone8428]

Everyone who has ever put spd's on their mountain bike could not be reached for

[@v.e.7236]

Been to Bonneville several times, not to go fast in a vehicle, but to do some high-speed land sailing. Maybe not as fast, but definitely just as fun, if not more, 'cause you don't have tech inspectors breathing down your neck, you just have fun a la wind power. The costs were way less, too. lol

[@xXZ31t6esTXx]

"This challenge is only simple in theory, and in theory, theory and practice are the same...in practice, they are not" -

[@327efrain]

I really really love your sense of humor. Thank you for this channel

[@DLWELD]

A very literate narration to a well produced video - most enjoyable.

[@EdwardTilley]

Great mix of speed tech and engineering theory!

[@paulwhiteman3625]

Brilliant as always, Matt!

[@DataRew]

Wendover is a trip, right? I lived in SLC, UT for about 2 years, but both years the flats were rained out. It still is one of the things that frustrates me the most about my time there (along with not getting to ride the alpine coaster in Park City because I waited for a girl who was 5 hours late.). Glad you got to enjoy it though! I am going to try in 2 years.

[@drew8256]

Great reporting of the week! Extra points for surviving the Red Garter!

[@idriwzrd]

In theory, theory and practice are the same. I practice, they are not. Wise words from an experienced engineer, who's actually done some things in real life. And has a sense of humor.

[@anthonyglickman6245]

I know enough from racing electric r/c cars in the 1980s to know that electric doesn't fit in the current record format. As a participant (team has two red hats), it's wonderful to see EVs out there making a go at it - best of luck!

[@paradiselost9946]

e is hard to class as there are so many variables. do you class them by battery capacity? energy density? voltage? discharge ability? internal resistance? the rating of the inverter? the rating on the motor? what motor? what inverter? with RC, there wasnt that much variation. its 1:8, or 1:10. its nimh, nicad, or nothing. and its a 7.2V pack. and the 540 case motor can only deal with so much, only has so much "tuning" you can get from it. little bit more variety now, but yeah... still much the same really. only a few percent points of efficiency difference with controls, motors, blah... all pretty structured and set in stone.

[@dantupper1784]

Thank You! Always wanted to be there.

[@commotoed]

Great Video, I've been to Bonnieville, twice off season...

[@nakarada]

I use the break time in our company’s rest and leisure room. A few minutes ago, while I was watching two colleagues playing billiards, our CEO Mr. Mate Rimac came and asked me to hold his beer. I have no idea why but of course I didn’t ask. Than I saw a free laptop and decide to surf the net a bit. The person before me left this KZbin page on the screen. I look at the can in my hand and realize that the boss most likely won’t come for his beer, he’s certainly busy making his new battery-powered toy, to show the guys at Bonneville Salt Flats how it’s supposed to be done. ;)

[@reinplat]

This video gave me so much more insight into French linguistics than all those lessons back in high school.

[@WlerickBigotOfficial]

Unfortunately it's not what Bonneville means in french (the correct translation is just "Good city". Source : I'm French), but it was funny tho x'D

[@russellzauner]

I want to do a flat spin at 100MPH in a vintage Mopar. That looked counterproductive but pretty fun.

[@russellzauner]

11:27 I have owned that same glue gun and a couple of its friends. Good stuff. lol

[@russellzauner]

12:00 lol it was a glue gun ha ha nice

[@russellzauner]

also boondocking is much easier now that power packs have adapters and can actually use quick charge stations, like full size cars. Just take an EV next time - several innovations in coatings/paints in the past few years are going to let you have solar panels in paint cans as well as passive AC (no lie, good stuff). I'm thinking that the only two factors we have are power continuity to the surface of the ground and resolving air resistance - we can solve air resistance by using a partially *lifting* design, which also helps lighten the vehicle such that we can load it down with power just to keep the wheels on the road. Maybe people are going about it in the wrong way trying to use the lightest stuff possible. :-) As long as it keeps touching the ground continuously it's technically still a land speed record, right? Shouldn't matter the shape of it at all outside of generating classes to remain competitive and constantly push class technology to the innovative limits.

[@thomasbarlow4223]

7:01 this is why every tow vehicle should have a transmission cooler and gauge I drive a 2001 e450 and so much peace of mind being able to know exactly the trans temp.

[@michaelmacaluso6307]

All effort goes into race car, not much into tow car...

[@GTFour]

I really like these episodes where you go cover a motorsport event and talk to the teams :)

[@peterhub1]

the transition cards are the perfect length and exactly the right music for me to giggle a little.

[@skyb2149]

You covered the 420 and the 69 in one equation! NICE 👍

[@aussiebaz5363]

Yes, well presented and well spoken. Very good.

[@DanGoodShotHD]

I love that new tow hitch with built-in suspension.

[@ejgrant5191]

My friends shop has several Salt Flat racers and World Record holders running out of it. He was the guy who was in the Discovery Channel documentry who's dyno cell they employed when the Ack Attack set the 600KPH Record. Disclosure...My friend was never involved with the build and fabrication of this vehicle and he was only responsible for tuning things and making some modifications. The way the Ack Attack is set up & configured is not how he would approach the problem if giving the task to design such a machine. The 1st day on the salt they decided to install a new Lthium Ion Battery which proceeded to short and burn down a good portion of the wiring harness...Then they dropped a valve...My friend is a noted engine developer on the west coast so he has some connections...Off to a friends shop in Salt Lake city to weld up and rebuild the cylinder head on an "ALL NIGHTER"...Then the gear box top gear decided it wanted to go on vacation...The World Record was set after conclusion of speed weeks when the 1%ers rent the Speedway with the FIA still in attendance. Bonneville is not an easy task EVER!

[@joergmargraf4290]

Love your Explanations

[@Frostified]

My dad just took a 67 Corvette to 250 MPH at the last land speed runs. He built it all himself and stayed in the class rules.

[@LK-pc4sq]

I have worked on a streamliner from surrey bc. IT was LONG and it has a 1,200 hp 4 cylinder diesel engine.

[@stevensmart8868]

Great information with no bs anywhere. good stuff.

[@bobsyeruncle4841]

like your subtle sense of humor SUBBED keep it up man

[@leonjohansen1818]

2:24 ! hey it's a Honda Insight!!

[@groundcontrolgainesville4841]

This video was exceptional

[@justonemori]

I love hearing about the Romans of ancient Greece!

[@FFM0594]

I notice how few of us there are!

[@GoldenGrenadier]

I'm sure the Romans occupied Greece at some point.

[@FFM0594]

@@GoldenGrenadier So the Americans of Afghanistan?

[@joesterling4299]

@@GoldenGrenadier Yes, and the smarter Greeks ended up as teachers for the smarter Romans. It's no coincidence the cultures were so similar. (E.g., Roman gods are renamed Greek gods.)

[@joesterling4299]

@@FFM0594 No. The Romans actually knew how to conquer a people.

[@topsouter]

Wow, very good and super informative.. a pleasure to watch

[@donniedye2716]

Good video. Hope to see you out there next year.

[@DeutschlandGuy]

Ok Matt. Quick dic_ing around and get your keester back to your own garage and get that E-Jaguar on the road! We are waiting with as much patience as . 😇😇😇

[@joell439]

Another ‘Matt the Adventurer’ episode. Thanks for enduring speed week so I didn’t have to. 👍😎👍

[@brbntrl2433]

That 32 ford at 12:44 is the fastest roadster ever at 300+mph.

[@philipdixon]

Nice of team 666 to keep my uncles name on the car. Sure Jack is watching from on high.

[@rexbk09]

Awesome coverage.

[@anidiotinaracingcar]

Wikipedia: "Geologist Grove Karl Gilbert named the area after Benjamin Bonneville, a U.S. Army officer who explored the Intermountain West in the 1830s." You made that mistake to force people googling it and posting in the comments, didn't you?

[@nordic5490]

All comments are 'engagement' that drives the algorithm

[@Lucas12v]

He also said that the Romans used it in Greek times. Then he said he didn't do any research about the history. I think you missed the joke.

[@edwardhalpin7503]

Our boy is sarcastic to the core, which is one of the many things we love about him

[@171apples171]

My grandpa Mike told me those Daytonas could be seen cruising up and down the avenue, no big deal back in the day lol i too think they are very cool looking cars.

[@michaelprice3031]

0:10 Hmmm... Who would've thunk?

[@csn583]

8:36 Great shirt!! The past of the future of fast...

[@rustypotatos]

12:49 wow thank you so much

[@petersmythe6462]

"Rho is Air density, which you can't really do much about in any given location." Atomic Howitzer in the background: "Don't mind me just minding my own business."

[@Ziccolumbia]

this is awesome. thanks for posting!

[@paulw8356]

Matt, Paul here, from Jag Lovers! I expect to see you out there in 2022, so that you can take a ride in the JeeType!

[@SmokeyVlogs]

14:39 very very correct. exactly right !

[@thatslegit]

5:12 " *SON LOOK, A FLYING BRICK!* "

[@jesusisalive3227]

One of my very favorite movies is the world's fastest Indian. It's about an old military Indian motorcycle racing on the Salt flats. If you have not seen it I urge you to watch it! BTW it's a true story.

[@scpdatabase69420]

Anyone interested in something similar but doesn’t want the salt, look for dry lake beds. They’re often used for land speed records as well. El Mirage recently had a land speed event. Went there and watched some of the cigar shaped carts kick up so much dust it looked and sounded like a rocket took off

[@paradiselost9946]

yeah, but isnt bonneville the only "officially recognised" venue? like old munro may have beaten his own record in his own time on the local beach, but it aint bonneville so it dont count... lake gairdner dont count. lake eyre dont count. bolivian salt flats dont count. bonneville or bust. bit unfair. still, its the only way to set a level... due to its level! above sea level... consistent. all participants get the same air to deal with with, no "compensation" needed.

[@scpdatabase69420]

@@paradiselost9946 I think it's by different organizations. The ones at El Mirage also do events at Bonneville. Makes sense that a lot of worldwide orgs visit Bonneville since travel there is probably cheaper and easier than to CA.

[@mrbenderrodrezugs1904]

Nice video mate, keep up the good work!

[@chrisskinner7859]

BRILLIANT CHANNEL !!!!

[@aesthetic_mfr]

That motorcycle carrier flopping around 🤣🤣🤣😂🤣😂

[@lsimpson50]

Superb recap!

[@marthamryglod291]

Incredible to stand on the very surface that the first Romans of ancient Greece tested their high-horspower chariots more than 5,000 years ago.

[@3644Darrell]

Umm, North American was centuries away from discovery so I don't think the Romans were in Utah 5,000 years ago

[@marthamryglod291]

@@3644Darrell ok you got one piece of incorrect info right, can you find the rest?

[@3644Darrell]

@@marthamryglod291 there is no rest. It didn't happen and is completely laughable that you would make such an ignorant statement. Is your iq in the negative range?

[@marthamryglod291]

@@3644Darrell bro, everything I originally wrote is wrong on purpose. The fact that it isn't obviously a joke to you says a lot about your cognitive abilities.

[@3644Darrell]

@@marthamryglod291 a joke is a something found humorous by others. Your statement doesn't remotely qualify. You, however, probably fits the definition.

[@jeffberwick]

Really interesting! Thanks for this content.

[@fredscratchet1355]

Great report, really enjoyed it. Hotel 1, restaurant 0 oh dear....

[@jamestone265]

I’ve been going to Bonneville since 1975. It continues to be humbling and eventho my son and I are both in the 200 MPH club entering in 2002 and 2003 and setting speed records…. We learn many things every time we go and compete… salt is the worst thing you can do to anything electric..

[@ZARQ132]

Love the humor man

[@iowa_don]

I think you will be a shoo in for the world's fastest electric 1950 Jag! 🤣🤣