Land Speed Record Holder Harold Johansen Jr
Still Active in his 80’s!
One of the real treats at SEMA this year, was the chance to meet and talk with Harold Johansen and see his new car which was unveiled at SEMA. Harold is a legend in Landspeed Racing, being one of the longest continuing racers in landspeed history. Harold ran his first race in 1950 and raced as recently as 2008. It was great talking with Harold and car builder Adolph Kruger.... they plan to run this new car at El Mirage at the end of November.... we’ll be looking to see if they make their 200 mph ! We’re betting they will !
About Harold Johansen Jr.
Harold Johansen Jr began racing on the dry lakes of Southern California in 1946 and at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1950 (one year after its inception). Considered to have the longest-running career as a vintage land speed driver, he raced through 2008 and into his early 80’s. Harold is still active in the sport today as a car owner and builder and holds eight world records as well as 60 other records. He was inducted in the “El Mirage Hall of Fame” for his dry lake racing achievements and dedication to designing, building, and racing vintage cars. He entered the “Bonneville 200 MPH Club” in 1974 in a C/Gas Roadster. He later set records in gas and fuel modified roadsters in both C, D and Lakester classes.
Harold’s other race cars:
* 70s Lakester (V4 Gas and Fuel) – Held the record speed of 175 mph, for two years.
* 1929 Ford Roadster (V4 Fuel Blown Gas) – Presently holds six records and held a record for D class Roadster for over 20 years at 194 mph.
* 1927 Ford Roadster (V4 Fuel) – Held more than seven records.
Click Here to see “A Visit With Harold Johansen Jr.” from our Guest Columnist Richard Parks
About the Crew
Adolph Kruger: Chief mechanic. High-performance and custom car builder since 1971. Past president and captain of Passaic Ambulance for the city of Passaic, NJ.
Mad Mike: Electronics system. Custom car builder since 1983. Master in electronics and on-board computer systems. US Airforce veteran, serving in Desert Storm as a Radar Tech/Hack.
Cooch Cutcher: Master welder and metal fabricator; master mechanic; builder and driver.
Eric Kruger: Metal fabricator and designer; suspension/motor;
Bill Lattin: Driver; numerous World Flat Out record holder; mechanic; owner and builder.
Jim Lattin: Driver; numerous World Flat Out record holder; mechanic and tuner; owner and builder; founder of Lattin’s Race Car Museum.
Visit our website www.landspeedracing.com ....There are many references to Harold Johansen in our landspeed newsletters.
The purpose of this site is to preserve the history and heritage of landspeed and dry lakes racing, to promote the hot rodding culture, to work towards a permanent repository where artifacts can be safely kept and restored for future generations and to encourage historians, photographers and others to publish their books and photographs.