Veteran Driver Chris Laschke Dies in Bonneville Salt Flats Incident
Chris Laschke, an experienced driver, tragically passed away on Sunday after losing control of his vehicle while attempting to break a speed record at the Bonneville salt flats. He was traveling at an astonishing 283 mph at the time. The Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), which organizes SpeedWeek at Bonneville, confirmed the unfortunate news.
Laschke was 60 years old. In an official statement, the SCTA detailed that he lost control after approximately 2.5 miles while driving his land speed vehicle. Medical professionals were on-site, but despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Toule County Sheriff’s Office, which is looking into Laschke’s passing, hasn’t released any comments yet.
A spokesperson for law enforcement, Sergeant Dane Lerdahl, mentioned to the Associated Press that it was indeed an accident. Laschke was driving the “Speed Demon” and had previously reached a top speed of 391 mph, according to the Speed Demon Racing website. While the SCTA did not clarify which records were being sought, the high-speed pursuit is a reminder of the inherent risks involved.
The team behind Speed Demon expressed their deep sorrow in a Facebook post, asking everyone to respect the privacy of Laschke’s family and friends during this difficult time. They described him as someone who balanced friendliness and competitiveness well, a person who truly embodied character in the racing community.
The Bonneville salt flats, located around 100 miles west of Salt Lake City, have been a favored racing venue for decades, with their unique glassy surfaces facilitating record attempts. The first race held there took place in 1914, showcasing a long-standing tradition of speed and competition.
Sadly, this is not the first incident of its kind at Bonneville; the last recorded racing fatality occurred in 2016, when rider Sam Wheeler lost control while traveling over 200 mph.
