Martinsville group breaks land world velocity report

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – Driver Tommy Hurley calmly went by the gears of a automobile constructed by Joey Arrington of Martinsville till the automobile hit a brand new world velocity report of 253 mph, breaking the outdated report of 244 mph set in 2007.

The outdated report was set on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah — this report occurred on a touchdown strip lengthy utilized by the area shuttle in Florida.

“Speed is the greatest drug,” Joey Arrington stated. “I’m addicted.”

Tommy Hurley, who was again at work at Hurley’s Auto Sales the following day, stated he was chosen as the driving force solely three days earlier than the try.

“I had never been over 165 mph, before, Hurley said.

Asked about how it felt to go 244, he said it was “smooth.”

Arrington constructed the automobile, a 1969 Dodge Daytona Charger with a Dodge engine in his store, Speedway Service Center in Martinsville. Fan would possibly acknowledge the automobile as the identical sort Richard Petty drove throughout his NASCAR profession.

“It’s the coolest car that’s ever been. The most iconic car ever to come out of Detroit, Arrington said.

Arrington said the car developed just over 1,000 horsepower.

He knows a thing or two over building engines that go fast, having also built the one that held the previous record.

“I get cold chills. My hair stands on end. It’s like being a rock concert,” he stated. “It puts you on the straight and narrow every day.”

Arrington stated you’ll be able to’t accomplish this type of feat working at a pc.

“You have to work at it. Cut your fingers. Get slivers of steel in your fingers,” he stated.

He stated the automobile will likely be on show on the IHRA season opener in St. Pete, Florida over the weekend, however he anticipated it might be again in Virginia, subsequent week. It will likely be saved at his store when “It’s not on tour.”