Art Arfons - Revision history

65.189.206.178 at 00:28, 25 April 2008

2008-04-25T00:28:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:28, 25 April 2008
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	The vehicle was configured with the driver and passenger sitting on each side of a huge engine. Arfons sustained minor injuries. He was taken to [[Parkland Memorial Hospital]] in Dallas and released shortly afterward. The Dallas event was to be his last race.<ref>[http://www.knus99.com/news8etc1.html "Gene Thomas"]. </ref><ref>[http://www.knus99.com/news8etc1.html "Drag Racer Kills 3"]. [[Dallas Morning News]], [[October 17]], [[1971]].</ref>		The vehicle was configured with the driver and passenger sitting on each side of a huge engine. Arfons sustained minor injuries. He was taken to [[Parkland Memorial Hospital]] in Dallas and released shortly afterward. The Dallas event was to be his last race.<ref>[http://www.knus99.com/news8etc1.html "Gene Thomas"]. </ref><ref>[http://www.knus99.com/news8etc1.html "Drag Racer Kills 3"]. [[Dallas Morning News]], [[October 17]], [[1971]].</ref>

	==~~Award~~==		==Awards==
	He was inducted into the [[Motorsports Hall of Fame of America]] in 1991.		He was inducted into the [[Motorsports Hall of Fame of America]] in 1991.

			He was inducted into the [[International Motorsports Hall of Fame]] on April 24, 2008.


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	==External links==		==External links==
	*[http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=3422 Gene Thomas] at motorsportsmemorial.com		*[http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=3422 Gene Thomas] at motorsportsmemorial.com

			http://www.motorsportshalloffame.com/

Red marquis at 08:25, 3 May 2007

2007-05-03T08:25:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:25, 3 May 2007
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	~~[[Image:Artarfons.jpg\|frame\|Art Arfons sitting atop the [[Green Monster (car)\|Green Monster]].]]~~		'''Art Arfons''' (born February 3, 1926 in Akron, Ohio) was the world [[land speed record]] holder three times in 1964 - 1965 with his ''[[Green Monster (car)\|Green Monster]]'' series of jet-powered cars, after a series of ''Green Monster'' piston-engine and jet-engined dragsters. He subsequently went on to field a succession of ''Green Monster'' turbine-engined [[tractor pulling\|pulling tractor]]s, before returning to land speed record racing.
	'''Art Arfons''' (born [[February 3]], [[1926]] in ~~[[Akron, Ohio\|~~Akron]], [[Ohio]]) was the world [[land speed record]] holder three times in [[1964]] - [[1965]] with his ''[[Green Monster (car)\|Green Monster]]'' series of jet-powered cars, after a series of ''Green Monster'' piston-engine and jet-engined dragsters. He subsequently went on to field a succession of ''Green Monster'' turbine-engined [[tractor pulling\|pulling tractor]]s, before returning to land speed record racing.

	His father, Tom, was born in [[Greece]] and came to the [[United States]] at age 14; he died in [[1950]], at age 52. His mother, Bessie, was half Cherokee, and died in [[1984]] at age 84. Arfons had two half brothers by his mother; [[Walt Arfons]], ten years older, who was to become his partner and later competitor in autosports, and Dale, eight years older, as well as one sister Lou, eighteen months older.		His father, Tom, was born in Greece and came to the United States at age 14; he died in 1950, at age 52. His mother, Bessie, was half Cherokee, and died in 1984 at age 84. Arfons had two half brothers by his mother; [[Walt Arfons]], ten years older, who was to become his partner and later competitor in autosports, and Dale, eight years older, as well as one sister Lou, eighteen months older.

	Arfons' family operated a feed mill in rural Ohio, where the Arfons brothers exercised their mechanical skills and ingenuity. After his junior year of high school, at just under 17 years of age, Art joined the United States Navy. He was sent to diesel [[mechanic]] school, then assigned as a mechanic to a landing craft in the Pacific Theater. This was a very good job for Arfons to utilize his mechanical talents. He participated in two battles including the invasion of [[Okinawa]], and then was discharged after three years, as a Second Class Petty Officer. He returned to Ohio, was married, and had a son. In [[1952]], he and his half-brother Walt became fascinated with drag racing and built their first [[Green Monster (car)\|Green Monster]]. In this endeavor, they were supported by their mother, who was also fascinated by the sport. Art and Walt continued their drag racing partnership with a series of ''Green Monster'' cars until the late [[1950s]], parting amicably but competing against each other.		Arfons' family operated a feed mill in rural Ohio, where the Arfons brothers exercised their mechanical skills and ingenuity. After his junior year of high school, at just under 17 years of age, Art joined the United States Navy. He was sent to diesel [[mechanic]] school, then assigned as a mechanic to a landing craft in the Pacific Theater. This was a very good job for Arfons to utilize his mechanical talents. He participated in two battles including the invasion of Okinawa, and then was discharged after three years, as a Second Class Petty Officer. He returned to Ohio, was married, and had a son. In 1952, he and his half-brother Walt became fascinated with drag racing and built their first [[Green Monster (car)\|Green Monster]]. In this endeavor, they were supported by their mother, who was also fascinated by the sport. Art and Walt continued their drag racing partnership with a series of ''Green Monster'' cars until the late 1950s, parting amicably but competing against each other.

	Arfon's path led almost inevitably to [[land speed record]] racing at [[Bonneville]], first in [[1960]] with the "Anteater", a car modeled after [[John Cobb (motorist)\|John Cobb]]'s "[[Railton Special]]" and powered by an [[Allison V-1710]] [[aircraft engine]]. In [[1961]] he reached a top speed of 313.78 miles per hour before burning out the [[clutch]]. Arfons sold the car to [[Bob Motz]].		Arfon's path led almost inevitably to [[land speed record]] racing at [[Bonneville]], first in 1960 with the "Anteater", a car modeled after [[John Cobb (motorist)\|John Cobb]]'s "[[Railton Special]]" and powered by an [[Allison V-1710]] [[aircraft engine]]. In 1961 he reached a top speed of 313.78 miles per hour before burning out the [[clutch]]. Arfons sold the car to [[Bob Motz]].

	In [[1962]], Arfons began experimenting with jet powered cars, where his innate mechanical skills proved tremendously useful. Art's first car, the 8,000 hp (6 MW) ''Cyclops'', remains the fastest open cockpit vehicle, recording 330.113 miles per hour (531.265 km/h) in the measured mile in [[1962]]. Unfortunately, his design had the driver sitting directly in the air intake to the engine, so that there was no way to enclose the cockpit and still supply air to the engine; this limited top speed severely. In deference to the car's less than excellent [[aerodynamics]], Arfons introduced another innovation; it was the first land speed record car to utilize a [[wing]] to produce [[downforce]] to prevent the car from becoming airborne.		In 1962, Arfons began experimenting with jet powered cars, where his innate mechanical skills proved tremendously useful. Art's first car, the 8,000 hp (6 MW) ''Cyclops'', remains the fastest open cockpit vehicle, recording 330.113 miles per hour (531.265 km/h) in the measured mile in [[1962]]. Unfortunately, his design had the driver sitting directly in the air intake to the engine, so that there was no way to enclose the cockpit and still supply air to the engine; this limited top speed severely. In deference to the car's less than excellent [[aerodynamics]], Arfons introduced another innovation; it was the first land speed record car to utilize a [[wing]] to produce [[downforce]] to prevent the car from becoming airborne.

	Arfons returned to Bonneville in [[1964]] with another ''Green Monster''. He held the world land speed record three times during the closely fought competition of [[1964]] and [[1965]], but after a bad crash in [[1966]] turned his attention to [[jet turbine]] powered [[tractor pulling]] competition where he was, as usual, successful. In [[1989]], however, he attempted to return to land speed record competition, but was never competitive.		Arfons returned to Bonneville in [[1964]] with another ''Green Monster''. He held the world land speed record three times during the closely fought competition of [[1964]] and [[1965]], but after a bad crash in [[1966]] turned his attention to [[jet turbine]] powered [[tractor pulling]] competition where he was, as usual, successful. In [[1989]], however, he attempted to return to land speed record competition, but was never competitive.
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	He was inducted into the [[Motorsports Hall of Fame of America]] in 1991.		He was inducted into the [[Motorsports Hall of Fame of America]] in 1991.

	~~[[Category:1926 births\|Arfons, Art]]~~
	[[Category:American racecar drivers\|Arfons, Art]]		[[Category:American racecar drivers\|Arfons, Art]]
	[[Category:Land speed records\|Arfons, Art]]		[[Category:Land speed records\|Arfons, Art]]
	~~[[Category:Living people\|Arfons, Art]]~~
	~~[[Category:People from Akron, Ohio\|Arfons, Art]]~~

	==References==		==References==

Gzuckier: dewikipediafy

2007-05-02T14:48:47Z

dewikipediafy

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:48, 2 May 2007
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	'''Art Arfons''' (born [[February 3]], [[1926]] in [[Akron, Ohio\|Akron]], [[Ohio]]) was the world [[land speed record]] holder three times in [[1964]] - [[1965]] with his ''[[Green Monster (car)\|Green Monster]]'' series of jet-powered cars, after a series of ''Green Monster'' piston-engine and jet-engined dragsters. He subsequently went on to field a succession of ''Green Monster'' turbine-engined [[tractor pulling\|pulling tractor]]s, before returning to land speed record racing.		'''Art Arfons''' (born [[February 3]], [[1926]] in [[Akron, Ohio\|Akron]], [[Ohio]]) was the world [[land speed record]] holder three times in [[1964]] - [[1965]] with his ''[[Green Monster (car)\|Green Monster]]'' series of jet-powered cars, after a series of ''Green Monster'' piston-engine and jet-engined dragsters. He subsequently went on to field a succession of ''Green Monster'' turbine-engined [[tractor pulling\|pulling tractor]]s, before returning to land speed record racing.

	His father, Tom, was born in [[Greece]] and came to the [[United States]] at age 14; he died in [[1950]], at age 52. His mother, Bessie, was half [[Cherokee]], and died in [[1984]] at age 84. Arfons had two half brothers by his mother; [[Walt Arfons]], ten years older, who was to become his partner and later competitor in autosports, and Dale, eight years older, as well as one sister Lou, eighteen months older.		His father, Tom, was born in [[Greece]] and came to the [[United States]] at age 14; he died in [[1950]], at age 52. His mother, Bessie, was half Cherokee, and died in [[1984]] at age 84. Arfons had two half brothers by his mother; [[Walt Arfons]], ten years older, who was to become his partner and later competitor in autosports, and Dale, eight years older, as well as one sister Lou, eighteen months older.

	Arfons' family operated a [[feed mill]] in rural Ohio, where the Arfons brothers exercised their mechanical skills and ingenuity. After his junior year of high school, at just under 17 years of age, Art joined the [[United States Navy]]. He was sent to diesel [[mechanic]] school, then assigned as a mechanic to a [[landing craft]] in the [[Pacific Theater]]. This was a very good job for Arfons to utilize his mechanical talents. He participated in two battles including the invasion of [[Okinawa]], and then was discharged after three years, as a [[Second Class Petty Officer]]. He returned to Ohio, was married, and had a son. In [[1952]], he and his half-brother Walt became fascinated with drag racing and built their first [[Green Monster (car)\|Green Monster]]. In this endeavor, they were supported by their mother, who was also fascinated by the sport. Art and Walt continued their drag racing partnership with a series of ''Green Monster'' cars until the late [[1950s]], parting amicably but competing against each other.		Arfons' family operated a feed mill in rural Ohio, where the Arfons brothers exercised their mechanical skills and ingenuity. After his junior year of high school, at just under 17 years of age, Art joined the United States Navy. He was sent to diesel [[mechanic]] school, then assigned as a mechanic to a landing craft in the Pacific Theater. This was a very good job for Arfons to utilize his mechanical talents. He participated in two battles including the invasion of [[Okinawa]], and then was discharged after three years, as a Second Class Petty Officer. He returned to Ohio, was married, and had a son. In [[1952]], he and his half-brother Walt became fascinated with drag racing and built their first [[Green Monster (car)\|Green Monster]]. In this endeavor, they were supported by their mother, who was also fascinated by the sport. Art and Walt continued their drag racing partnership with a series of ''Green Monster'' cars until the late [[1950s]], parting amicably but competing against each other.

	Arfon's path led almost inevitably to [[land speed record]] racing at [[Bonneville]], first in [[1960]] with the "Anteater", a car modeled after [[John Cobb (motorist)\|John Cobb]]'s "[[Railton Special]]" and powered by an [[Allison V-1710]] [[aircraft engine]]. In [[1961]] he reached a top speed of 313.78 miles per hour before burning out the [[clutch]]. Arfons sold the car to [[Bob Motz]].		Arfon's path led almost inevitably to [[land speed record]] racing at [[Bonneville]], first in [[1960]] with the "Anteater", a car modeled after [[John Cobb (motorist)\|John Cobb]]'s "[[Railton Special]]" and powered by an [[Allison V-1710]] [[aircraft engine]]. In [[1961]] he reached a top speed of 313.78 miles per hour before burning out the [[clutch]]. Arfons sold the car to [[Bob Motz]].
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	Arfons returned to Bonneville in [[1964]] with another ''Green Monster''. He held the world land speed record three times during the closely fought competition of [[1964]] and [[1965]], but after a bad crash in [[1966]] turned his attention to [[jet turbine]] powered [[tractor pulling]] competition where he was, as usual, successful. In [[1989]], however, he attempted to return to land speed record competition, but was never competitive.		Arfons returned to Bonneville in [[1964]] with another ''Green Monster''. He held the world land speed record three times during the closely fought competition of [[1964]] and [[1965]], but after a bad crash in [[1966]] turned his attention to [[jet turbine]] powered [[tractor pulling]] competition where he was, as usual, successful. In [[1989]], however, he attempted to return to land speed record competition, but was never competitive.

	Art's son, [[Tim Arfons]], has continued the tradition by competing in jet-powered dragsters as well as in turbine-powered pulling "[[Funny Car\|funny cars]]", and has been a stunt and exhibition driver in a series of jet-powered [[All-terrain vehicle\|ATV]]s and even a jet-powered [[personal watercraft]]. His daughter [[Dusty Arfons]] also competed in tractor pulling with her father.		Art's son, [[Tim Arfons]], has continued the tradition by competing in jet-powered dragsters as well as in turbine-powered pulling "[[Funny Car\|funny cars]]", and has been a stunt and exhibition driver in a series of jet-powered [[All-terrain vehicle\|ATV]]s and even a jet-powered personal watercraft. His daughter [[Dusty Arfons]] also competed in tractor pulling with her father.

	== Tragedy ==		== Tragedy ==

Gzuckier: I wrote a lot of the wikipedia art arfons entry, so I figure i can use it here

2007-05-02T13:45:33Z

I wrote a lot of the wikipedia art arfons entry, so I figure i can use it here

New page

[[Image:Artarfons.jpg|frame|Art Arfons sitting atop the [[Green Monster (car)|Green Monster]].]]
'''Art Arfons''' (born [[February 3]], [[1926]] in [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]], [[Ohio]]) was the world [[land speed record]] holder three times in [[1964]] - [[1965]] with his ''[[Green Monster (car)|Green Monster]]'' series of jet-powered cars, after a series of ''Green Monster'' piston-engine and jet-engined dragsters. He subsequently went on to field a succession of ''Green Monster'' turbine-engined [[tractor pulling|pulling tractor]]s, before returning to land speed record racing.

His father, Tom, was born in [[Greece]] and came to the [[United States]] at age 14; he died in [[1950]], at age 52. His mother, Bessie, was half [[Cherokee]], and died in [[1984]] at age 84. Arfons had two half brothers by his mother; [[Walt Arfons]], ten years older, who was to become his partner and later competitor in autosports, and Dale, eight years older, as well as one sister Lou, eighteen months older.

Arfons' family operated a [[feed mill]] in rural Ohio, where the Arfons brothers exercised their mechanical skills and ingenuity. After his junior year of high school, at just under 17 years of age, Art joined the [[United States Navy]]. He was sent to diesel [[mechanic]] school, then assigned as a mechanic to a [[landing craft]] in the [[Pacific Theater]]. This was a very good job for Arfons to utilize his mechanical talents. He participated in two battles including the invasion of [[Okinawa]], and then was discharged after three years, as a [[Second Class Petty Officer]]. He returned to Ohio, was married, and had a son. In [[1952]], he and his half-brother Walt became fascinated with drag racing and built their first [[Green Monster (car)|Green Monster]]. In this endeavor, they were supported by their mother, who was also fascinated by the sport. Art and Walt continued their drag racing partnership with a series of ''Green Monster'' cars until the late [[1950s]], parting amicably but competing against each other.

Arfon's path led almost inevitably to [[land speed record]] racing at [[Bonneville]], first in [[1960]] with the "Anteater", a car modeled after [[John Cobb (motorist)|John Cobb]]'s "[[Railton Special]]" and powered by an [[Allison V-1710]] [[aircraft engine]]. In [[1961]] he reached a top speed of 313.78 miles per hour before burning out the [[clutch]]. Arfons sold the car to [[Bob Motz]].

In [[1962]], Arfons began experimenting with jet powered cars, where his innate mechanical skills proved tremendously useful. Art's first car, the 8,000 hp (6 MW) ''Cyclops'', remains the fastest open cockpit vehicle, recording 330.113 miles per hour (531.265 km/h) in the measured mile in [[1962]]. Unfortunately, his design had the driver sitting directly in the air intake to the engine, so that there was no way to enclose the cockpit and still supply air to the engine; this limited top speed severely. In deference to the car's less than excellent [[aerodynamics]], Arfons introduced another innovation; it was the first land speed record car to utilize a [[wing]] to produce [[downforce]] to prevent the car from becoming airborne.

Arfons returned to Bonneville in [[1964]] with another ''Green Monster''. He held the world land speed record three times during the closely fought competition of [[1964]] and [[1965]], but after a bad crash in [[1966]] turned his attention to [[jet turbine]] powered [[tractor pulling]] competition where he was, as usual, successful. In [[1989]], however, he attempted to return to land speed record competition, but was never competitive.

Art's son, [[Tim Arfons]], has continued the tradition by competing in jet-powered dragsters as well as in turbine-powered pulling "[[Funny Car|funny cars]]", and has been a stunt and exhibition driver in a series of jet-powered [[All-terrain vehicle|ATV]]s and even a jet-powered [[personal watercraft]]. His daughter [[Dusty Arfons]] also competed in tractor pulling with her father.

== Tragedy ==
On [[October 16]], [[1971]], while making an exhibition run at the Dallas International Motor Speedway in [[Lewisville, Texas]], Arfons lost control of his radical jet-powered vehicle, resulting in the death of three people. IHRA staff members Robert John Kelsey (age 20) and Sean Panse (age 17) were struck and killed, along with WFAA ([[Dallas, Texas]]) news reporter, Gene Thomas (age 31), who was a passenger in the vehicle.

Arfons’ "Super Cyclops" was making its first run of the day in an attempt to pass the 300 mph mark. Towards the end of the run, a tire burst as the chutes deployed; it veered into a guardrail and crashed beyond the finish line. Thomas, a popular Dallas television reporter, was apparently thrown out of the vehicle when it rolled over.

The vehicle was configured with the driver and passenger sitting on each side of a huge engine. Arfons sustained minor injuries. He was taken to [[Parkland Memorial Hospital]] in Dallas and released shortly afterward. The Dallas event was to be his last race.<ref>[http://www.knus99.com/news8etc1.html "Gene Thomas"]. </ref><ref>[http://www.knus99.com/news8etc1.html "Drag Racer Kills 3"]. [[Dallas Morning News]], [[October 17]], [[1971]].</ref>

==Award==
He was inducted into the [[Motorsports Hall of Fame of America]] in 1991.

[[Category:1926 births|Arfons, Art]]
[[Category:American racecar drivers|Arfons, Art]]
[[Category:Land speed records|Arfons, Art]]
[[Category:Living people|Arfons, Art]]
[[Category:People from Akron, Ohio|Arfons, Art]]

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=3422 Gene Thomas] at motorsportsmemorial.com