Frank Lockhart

Frank Lockhart was an early dry lake racer. He grew up in the Los Angeles area, and at age 16 he had built his first car, a Model T Ford from discarded parts. The engine was built in the family kitchen. Frank usually won the races he attended with the Ford. His family was dirt poor, but Frank managed to find money for his passion. The money was often borrowed from his mother who did sewing and housework to keep the family going.

At age 23, Frank visited the Indianapolis 500 race. By pure luck he was able to drive a car. He won the race, and the flag fell two laps ahead of the second place car.

In the spring of 1927, Frank ran 171 miles per hour in the measured mile in a 91 ci supercharged Miller. His two way average, under poor driving conditions, was 164 mph. At that time the world speed record was 174 mph, achieved by a British car with a 1,360 ci engine.

Hungry for the world speed record, Frank designed the Stutz Blackhawk Special to achieve it. At the time, the world speed record was 203 mph. The record attempt with the Stutz was done at Daytona Beach in Florida. The Daytona Beach course can be though, and on the first attempt the car crashed at 220 mph. Lockhart was slightly injured, and he rebuilt the car and made a second attempt in late April. At well over 200 mph the car crashed again, and Lockhart was killed.