BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS, Utah, July 3, 2006 — World speed record holder Russ Wicks established a new World Stock Car Speed Record in a NASCAR-spec Autodesk Ford Taurus of 222.623 miles-per-hour at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The previous milestone of 216.946 mph was set nearly 35 years ago by Bobby Isaac.
Wicks, of Seattle, Washington, is now the only living driver to have set official speed records of over 200 mph on land and water, as he also holds the mile record for propeller-driven boats of 205.494 mph, set June 15, 2000, in the Miss Freei unlimited hydroplane on Seattle's Lake Washington.
"This has been nearly a year in the making and we overcame a number of hurdles to set a new world record," said Wicks, whose American Challenge Team will continue to embark on a number of speed record breaking initiatives. "I'm ecstatic to have been able to set a new stock car record at Bonneville. There is so much history associated with the Salt Flats and to be able to join the list of speed legends that have set records here is certainly a dream come true. I could not have accomplished this without the incredible support of my family, team and Autodesk. We're looking forward to our next speed record breaking challenge coming in the near future."
Wicks' stock car record was certified by Mike Cook, Chairman of Bonneville Nationals, Inc., and was run in accordance with FIA timing and scoring standards for speed records. The Autodesk Ford Taurus, an ex-Jimmy Spencer superspeedway car, and run under the direction of PTP NASCAR team owner Chris Diedrich, was in accordance with all current NASCAR Nextel Cup stock car templates and specifications.
Time-trial rules dictate that the test speed must be achieved past a one-mile timing point along a "track" on the salt, as well as a return trip within one hour, with the official speed being the average of the two runs. The average speed of the run down the course was 223.229 mph, with a return run average speed of 222.020, for an official overall mile average speed of 222.623 mph. Despite an engine failure on the first day, Wicks set the record on his first attempt. Isaac's previous record was also set at Bonneville, in a NASCAR-spec Dodge Charger Daytona on September 12, 1971.
Wicks' latest record is part of his ongoing American Speedking television series, which will begin airing this Fall and feature a behind-the-scenes look at the American Challenge Team's pursuit of setting new world speed records.
About Russ Wicks
Russ Wicks has experienced excessive speed and is one of few people to have traveled over 220 MPH on both land and water. Wicks' background includes Motocross, Formula Cars, Dragsters, and Unlimited Hydroplanes. During 2000, Wicks broke the longest-standing major speed record in motorsports history, and became the fastest person ever to take a propeller-driven boat through the measured mile. For more information visit: www.russwicks.com
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) is a Fortune 1000 company, wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With seven million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital media and wireless data services fields. Autodesk's solutions help customers create, manage and share their data and digital assets more effectively. As a result, customers turn ideas into competitive advantage by becoming more productive, streamlining project efficiency and maximizing profits.
Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For additional information about Autodesk, please visit: www.autodesk.com