Vehicle Sets CNG Speed Record: 323 mph
23 October 2009
Fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG), the Lucas Oil/Lessman Streamliner hisett an official speed record for a CNG vehicle of 323 mph through the measured mile at the Bonneville Salt Flats in early October.
With an official timed speed by the Southern California Timing Association at the 2009 World Finals of 323 mph and an actual peak speed of 332 mph, owner-driver Roger Lessman is excited about the demonstrated performance aspects of a more environmentally friendly fuel.
The blown gas streamliner, designed and built by Riley Technologies, was originally designed to run on gasoline. However, Lessman wanted to do something a bit different, and converted the engine—a large-block Ford V-8, 572 cubic inch (9.37 liter), turbocharged unit—from traditional gasoline to CNG.
The engine sounded and performed better than ever. We had a clutch issue that prevented us from completing the second leg of the run, but the engine is sound. The car handled well.
—Roger Lessman
Lessman plans to continue to refine the tuning on the CNG powered engine and will make some modifications to the fuel delivery system for additional horsepower, with a personal goal of 400 mph.
So.....
Posted by: HarveyD | 23 October 2009 at 01:36 PM
CNG is the sleeper fuel. Lower environmental impact, domestic supplies. As for speed records, well...
Posted by: Nick Lyons | 23 October 2009 at 03:15 PM
This shows what you can get from 130 octane. If the engine is set up to use that efficiently, then you might get some range out of it.
Posted by: SJC | 24 October 2009 at 10:21 AM