The Speed Demon's extraordinary record of land speed racing achievement is the stuff of racing legend. In addition to winning the coveted Hot Rod Magazine Top speed Trophy twelve times, it has set more SCTA class records and FIA International speed records than any vehicle in history. It has made more runs over four hundred miles per hour than all other competitors combined. It has become the most iconic car in land speed racing history.
After the unexpected passing of George Poteet in 2024, the Speed Demon Racing Team faced uncertainty. With the full support of the Poteet family, the team is moving forward in 2025—retiring the gold Speed Demon as George wished and preparing a new car built on the legacy he left behind.
he Speed Demon team have been smashing records at Bonneville since 2006. The Speed Demon car competes in a variety of classes each year with an assortment of engines to set records across many classes. The Speed Demon is prepared in Ventura California by the Speed Demon crew led by Steve Watt and Maxwell Industries.
The engine builder for all of the Speed Demon records is Kenny Duttweiler, and each year he finds more power to push the envelope.
George Poteet was a land-speed racer and car collector based in the Memphis area. His street cars won the prestigious Ridler and America’s Most Beautiful Roadster awards, and his race car set more than a dozen records with him behind the wheel. He went over 400 mph more than 50 times. Along the way, the Speed Demon won the Hot Rod Trophy (signifying the fastest car of the SCTA Speed Week meet) an unprecedented 12 times and set numerous world records. George and his team also held the title of World’s Fastest Piston Engine Wheel Driven Car.
Chris Raschke’s world is speed. His journey to the cockpit of the record setting Speed Demon streamliner has given him perspective and appreciation for the pioneers of the sport that came before him.
