Bonneville Racer Chris Raschke Killed In 300 MPH Crash

A driver competing in the Bonneville Speed Week event in Utah was killed on Sunday during a high speed run on the salt flats.

Chris Raschke, 60, was driving the Speed Demon III streamliner at a reported 300 mph when the accident occurred.

“At approximately 3:03 p.m. Mountain Time today, driver Chris Raschke. age 60, was attempting a speed record and lost control of his land speed vehicle at approximately the 2 1/2 mile,” The Southern California Timing Association said in a news release.

“Chris was treated by medical professionals at the scene. Unfortunately, Chris passed away from his injuries. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.”

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Raschke’s car was an updated version of the Speed Demon II that George Poteet drove to a piston-powered, wheel-driven top speed record of 470.733 in 2020. Poteet died last year from a pulmonary embolism, but the team has carried on. Poteet had previously survived a 370 mph crash at Bonneville in 2014. The Speed Demon III is powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 rated at more than 3,000 hp and the team was aiming to hit 500 mph during the event this year.

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“Chris was known to many as the face of ARP [American Racing Products], but to those who knew him on the salt, he was someone who found the perfect balance of friendly and competitive. Never a usual combination and one that speaks to the quality of his character. We send our deepest sympathies to Chris’s family and friends,” the American Hot Rod Foundation that many land speed record drivers are involved with said in a social media post.