OUT OF CONTROL

‘Speed Demon’ Driver Attempting Land Speed Record Dies in 283 MPH Crash

Drivers from far and wide risk life and limb to go a few seconds faster at the Utah event.

A daredevil has died going 283 mph in a bid to break the land speed record in Utah’s salt flats. Chris Raschke, 60, had made it two and a half miles into his attempt when he lost control of his vehicle, and despite being treated by medics, died from his injuries, the Southern California Timing Association said. The barren landscape of the Bonneville Salt Flats is hosting Speed Week, when extreme speed enthusiasts watch mavericks like Raschke in his rocket-like Speed Demon vehicle attempt to break new records. Sgt. Dane Lerdahl of Tooele County Sheriff’s Office said, “We know it was an accident of some sort,” and noted there was an investigation being carried out by both the department and the Timing Association. Organization president and Speed Week race director Keith Pedersen said Raschke was “one of the big ones. He had done all sorts of racing,” according to AP. Fans flock to the vast prehistoric flats during the event, standing a fifth of a mile from racers who reach eye-watering speeds that have topped 400 mph in some instances on the glasslike surface about 100 miles west of Salt Lake City.

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