2000-2009
John Beckett
Born: May 9, 1948
Died: August 14, 2005
Buried: Atlantic View Cemetery, Manasquan, New Jersey
Age: 57
Full Name: John William Beckett, III
Nickname:
Location: Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
Event: Speed Week
Accident Date: August 14, 2005
Vehicle: 1930s Crosley C/Gas Competition Coupe
Biographical: He lost control of the race car at more than 200 MPH near the five-mile mark. The day before the fatal crash, he had been timed at 227.593 MPH. He lived in Loris, South Carolina. He was a former president of the East Coast Timing Association and a veteran racer. He became a member of the 200-MPH Club in 1992. He was survived by a daughter and son.
Sources
"Racers look to cap speed records at Flats," Salt Lake Tribune, August 17, 2005
"Crash kills driver at Salt Flats," Salt Lake Tribune, August 17, 2005
"Obituaries," Fayetteville Observer, August 22, 2005
Social Security Death Index (John W. Beckett, born May 9, 1948, died August 14, 2005, SS# issued in New Jersey)
Photos
Barry Bryant
Born: April 23, 1963
Died: August 9, 2009
Buried: Lawncrest Memorial Park, Redding, California
Age: 46
Full Name: Barry Alan Bryant
Nickname:
Location: Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
Event: Speed Week
Accident Date: August 9, 2009
Vehicle: "Tom Thumb Special VII" #216 D/Competition Coupe
Biographical: He crashed at over 200 MPH while passing the five-mile marker. It rolled many times before finally coming to a stop. Emergency crews rushed to cut away the metal to free the injured driver. He was rushed to Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City, but died before arriving. The car was capable of speeds in excess of 228 MPH. He lived in Anderson, California.
Video:
Sources
"Rollover kills racer at the Salt Flats," Deseret News, August 11, 2009
Social Security Death Index (Barry Bryant, born April 23, 1963, died August 9, 2009 in Utah, SS# issued in Calif. In 1977)
U.S. Obituary Collection (Barry Bryant, 46, of Anderson died Sunday in a race car crash in Utah. Arrangements are pending at Lawncrest Chapel in Redding, published in Redding Record Searchlight on Aug. 12, 2009)
U.S. Obituary Collection (Barry Bryant, On Sunday, August 9, 2009;
Barry was taken to his heavenly home while doing something he loved: racing at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Barry was born in Whittier, CA and moved to Redding with his family in 1968. Barry worked in the family automotive business and was co-owner of Bryant Automotive, which his parents started when they first moved to Redding. Barry is survived by his wife Loretta of 18 years, daughters Hillary and Melanie and parents Tom and Margaret. Also mourning his loss are brothers and sister-in-laws Jeff and Debbie, Dan and Shirley and sister Sandy as well as numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends. Barry was an avid gold mining enthusiast, hiker, self-educated "rock hound", active Boy Scout leader, artist, photographer, land speed racer, and an example to all who knew him as a good and faithful servant of Christ. His many talents and passion for life, blessed Barry's family and friends with wonderful memories and he will be deeply missed. Published in My Red Bluffs, Aug. 13, 2009)
Photos
Land Speed Record driver Barry Bryant dies in 200-mph crash at Bonneville
Cliff Gullett
Born: February 18, 1961
Died: September 3, 2008
Buried: Sunset Hills Cemetery, Bozeman, Montana
Age: 47
Full Name: Cliff W. Gullett
Nickname:
Location: Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
Event: BUB Speed Trials
Accident Date: September 3, 2008
Vehicle: Bullett-Costella-Gullett Racing 500cc Nebulous Theorem VII 2-stroke motorcycle streamliner
Biographical: He was making his return run record attempt and had gone through the timing lights at over 237 MPH when he lost control of the vehicle. Witnesses reported that he suddenly veered sideways and began to tumble. It is not certain what caused the accident. He was from Bozeman, Montana. He was survived by his wife, Leanne, a son, Casey, and daughter, Nicole.
Video:
Sources
"Motorcyclist killed in Salt Flats crash," Deseret News, September 3, 2008
Obituary, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Sep. 7, 2008
Photos
"Record holder dies in cycle crash," Billings Gazette, Sep. 4, 2008
https://www.speedandsound.co.za/site/2008/09/bonneville-record-chaser-dies-at-385kmh/ (accessed 5/9/10)
Johan Jacobs
Born:
Died: June 27, 2006
Buried:
Age: 39
Full Name:
Nickname:
Location: Verneuk pan, near Upington, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
Event:
Accident Date: June 27, 2006
Vehicle: Castrol Edge jet dragster
Biographical: He was making a first practice run in the Kalahari desert prior to attempting to set a new world standing start mile record the next day. His vehicle veered off the course at an estimated 310 MPH and rolled several times. He was killed instantly. He held the South African land speed record and was a former jet fighter pilot. He was from Pretoria and was survived by his wife, Rhoda, and two young children.
Sources
"South African land speed record ends in tragedy," SpeedRecord S.A., July 13, 2006 (https://www.speedrecordsa.co.za/speedrecordtragedy.htm)
"World speed attempt ends in tragedy," Independent Online, June 28, 2006
"Speed king dies in 500 km/h crash," Daily News, June 28, 2006 (https://www.iol.co.za/general/news/newsprint.php?art_id=vn20060628140247691C808436&sf=)
Photos
"South African land speed record ends in tragedy," SpeedRecord S.A., July 13, 2006 (https://www.speedrecordsa.co.za/speedrecordtragedy.htm)
"SA's fastest killed in speed record practice," IOL Motoring.co.za, June 28, 2006
"SA's land speed record tumbles," IOL Motoring.co.za, March 23, 2006
Guy Lombardi
Born: January 28, 1942
Died: October 24, 2009
Buried: cremated, ashes possibly scattered at Bonneville Salt Flats
Age: 67
Full Name: Gaetano Robert Lombardi
Nickname:
Location: Maxton Air Base, Laurinburg, North Carolina
Event: East Coast Timing Association "Maxton Mile"
Accident Date: October 24, 2009
Vehicle: Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa motorcycle
Biographical: He crashed in the shutdown area after turning 191.99 MPH.
Sources
Fatalities in LSR, SuzukiHayabusa.org
eman, email communication to site administrator, Dec. 5, 2018
"Lombardi was one fast and crazy Guy," Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Nov. 3, 2009
Photos
Dave Owen
Born: October 16, 1959
Died: September 27, 2008
Buried: Mayflower Hill Cemetery, Taunton, Massachusetts
Age: 48
Full Name: David C. Owen
Nickname: DaveO
Location: Maxton Air Base, Laurinburg, North Carolina
Event: East Coast Timing Association "Maxton Mile"
Accident Date: September 27, 2008
Vehicle: motorcycle
Biographical: After clocking a run of 215.9 MPH, he crashed in the shutdown area. He lived in North Dighton, Massachusetts, and was survived by his wife and two sons.
Sources
NEStreetRiders.com, Sep. 28, 2008
Darrin Cronan, email communication with site administrator, May 28, 2017
Photos
Nolan White
Born: February 26, 1931
Died: October 20, 2002
Buried:
Age: 71
Full Name: Nolan Ray White
Nickname:
Location: Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
Event: Speed Week
Accident Date: October 17, 2002
Vehicle: streamliner
Biographical: He had just passed through the measured mile at 422 MPH on the first of two required runs on Thursday when the harness securing his parachutes broke as it was released at the end of his run. He was going about 350 MPH and headed for the Interstate highway. He tried to steer the vehicle away from the highway, but hit a soft spot and rolled the car. White was holder of the land speed record for piston-driven cars at 413.156 MPH. He was from San Diego, California. He died from his injuries on Sunday.
Sources
"Speed record holder Nolan White dies," AP Online, October 22, 2002
"Nolan White, world speed record holder, dies at 71," Deseret News, October 21, 2002
"Miscellany," Spokane Spokesman-Review, October 22, 2002
Social Security Death Index (Nolan R. White, born February 26, 1931, died October 20, 2002, SS# issued in Texas before 1951, last residence was Del Mar, Calif.)
Texas Birth Index (Nolen Ray White, born February 26, 1931, in Bell Co., Texas, son of Harlan and Etoy Jackson White)
Photos
https://www.bryantauto.com/photos.html (accessed 5/9/10)
https://epa.oszk.hu/00800/00804/00239/37202.html (accessed 5/9/10)
"LandSpeed" Louise Ann Noeth, e-mail communication to site administrator, June 23, 2010