Speed Demon (car)

Speed Demon is a land speed racing car built in 2010 by Ron Main for George Poteet.

Speed Demon at Bonneville in 2010

In September 2010, George Poteet made a serious attempt to break the flying mile and flying kilometer record for piston-engined wheel-driven cars. Speed Demon is powered by a 299 cu in (4,900 cc) aluminum block 'Hellfire' V8, built by Kenny Duttweiler.^[1] Their effort was thwarted by a number of parts failures. The team stated their intention to return in 2011 to set a record over 450 mph (724 km/h), and at the 2011 Bonneville Speed Week, Poteet achieved 426 mph (686 km/h) ^[2]

The Speed Demon then made "the fastest piston engine pass ever",^[3] turning in a two-way average of 437.183 mph (703.578 km/h).^[4] (Because this was not done within the two-hour limit demanded by FIA, the record is not considered official.)^[5]

In 2012, Speed Demon set an official record at 439 mph (707 km/h).^[6]

Speed Demon was displayed at the 2018 Detroit Autorama.^[7]

Poteet intended to attempt the absolute record for wheel-driven cars, currently held by Don Vesco’s Turbinator, but died on July 16, 2024.^[8] Poteet was replaced by Chris Raschke, who drove the car until his death on August 3rd, 2025 in a crash during that year's Bonneville Speed Week^[9].