Need for speed

Hearing Terry Haines’ story, it’s hard to figure what’s the most impressive aspect of his land speed record-setting run at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats Monday.

After all, he eclipsed the previous land speed record for a blown fuel (alcohol) engine by more than 11 miles per hour.

And, just as noteworthy, he shattered that record riding behind the power of a 1954 GMC military truck motor.

But perhaps even more inspiring is the fact that Haines was behind the wheel of that machine, speeding across the salt flats at 209.595 miles per hour, at the age of 70 years old.

“I’ve raced stuff off and on all my life,” said Haines, a retired Southern California firefighter who now lives on Banner Mountain in Nevada City. “As long as I can pass a physical, I’ll continue to do this.

“I just have a love for motor sports and speed.”

Haines had to love his run aboard the “Saline Solution” Monday, actually surpassing 213 miles per hour which helped average out the speed that smashed the prior record for blown fuel Lakesters of 198.564 mph.

“I guess it’s kind of like, if a person could imagine, driving along the freeway in the rain at 104 miles per hour — and then doubling that,” Haines said. “That’s what I’m contending with out there.

“The salt is not like concrete. People are amazed at how difficult it is to go fast on salt. It can be very humbling.”

Topping 200 mph is nothing new to Haines, who actually pulled off the feat in 2004.

Back then, he drove the Saline Solution, a 15-foot, former top-fuel dragster, to a new record for blown gas Lakester with an average of 203.489, with a top speed of 204.035.

That moment marked a milestone for Haines, who had always wanted to be a member of the Southern California Timing Association’s 200-mile-per-hour club. It was a goal he came up with after climbing behind the wheel as a teenager.

“Once you’re in, you’re a lifetime member,” he said. “But now there will be another notation with my highest speed.

“It’s a very elite club. I wanted to be in it from the time I was 15 years old. There are more people who have climbed Mt. Everest than who are in the 200 mile-per-hour club.”

Haines said it was nice that he had the technical help and support of friend Jim Harte, who actually is the son of Haines’ girlfriend, Carol.

“That’s how we got to know each other,” Haines said. “His family raced boats when he was younger, so he has a high, high level of mechanical ability.

“I can go through things and explain them one time and he gets it.”

Haines, who said he has raced various hot rods and boats through his career, also has his pilot’s license. But despite his love for speed and flying, racing fans aren’t likely to see him entered in the annual Reno Air Races anytime soon.

“I like four wheels,” Haines said. “And I like to stay on the ground.”

ooo

Next month at the Bonneville Salt Flats, two motorcycle teams with local ties are expected to continue their quests to hold the land speed record at the fourth annual International Motorcycle Speed Trials sponsored by BUB Enterprises of Grass Valley.

A year ago, BUB Racing — owned by Denis Manning of Grass Valley — took ownership of that record with an average speed of 350.884 miles per hour. Chris Carr drove BUB’s “Streamliner Seven” to the world-record run.

That mark eclipsed a record of 342.797 mph set by the Top 1 Ack Attack team, and Grass Valley driver Rocky Robinson, one day earlier.

Both record runs topped the previous record, owned by Dave Campos, by more than 20 miles per hour.

The International Motorcycle Speed Trials are set to return to the Bonneville Salt Flats on Sept. 2-6.

ooo

To contact Sports Editor Brian Hamilton, e-mail bhamilton@theunion.com or call 477-4240.