today at Bonneville, Team Vesco had an exit speed of 503 mph, ending a 17-year quest by Utah’s Rick Vesco to build the first wheel-driven car car over 500 miles per hour (thanks Doug!)

The late Don Vesco hit 470 miles per hour in the original Turbinator in 2001 and thought the car could reach the elusive 500 mile per hour mark.

Don died of cancer the next year and the car sat idle until 2013 when Rick, the car’s owner and builder, began to upgrade the Turbinator at his garage in Springdale.

It has an internal combustion turbine engine with roughly 5000 horsepower. The engine power drives the four wheels.

The Vesco’s father John raced at the first Speed Week in 1949. Don Vesco is the only person in the motorcycle and automotive Halls of Fame.

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/2018/10/02/utahs-vesco-family/

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialLucasOil/photos/a.212974975404704/1921228011246050/

Team Vesco's Turbinator II with driver Dave Spangler set the fastest wheel driven car record ever at the World of Speed event September 15, 2018, and today it was even faster

https://www.facebook.com/kevin.g.moore.37/posts/10215297364924704

Thanks Doug!