Land Speed Legends
Land Speed Legends
Allison Volk Dean
Conversations with men & women who make land speed racing legendary!
The Legendary Dave Davidson
THE LEGENDARY DAVE DAVIDSON is probably best known for being the first person to go 300 MPH in a roadster! Going 300 MPH in a highboy is as impressive as Dave is. Dave grew up wild and free on a ranch in California. He wanted a motorcycle when he was young but his mother would not allow it so instead he  began small town drag racing (at a much too young age) and his need for speed never stopped from there! Dave upgraded from illegal drag racing to sanctioned events, he finally got to race that motorcycle and he made land speed history with his historic 300 MPH ride. Three words to describe THE LEGENDARY DAVE DAVIDSON: humble, genuine and a badass!
Jan 30, 2024
1 hr 23 min
The Legendary Frank Silva
THE LEGENDARY FRANK SILVA'S first trip to  the Bonneville Salt Flats was with his dad when he was seventeen years old. That year they came out as spectators but it didn't last long and within a few years they were wrenching and racing the Got Salt Lakester. Frank's dad, Frank Sr., took six years to get a record in that car but it only took the junior Frank one! Unfortunely, his dad had passed away by the time he gothis record that earned him entry into the 300 MPH Chapter of Bonneville 200 MPH Club . Frank describes that year as "Fairy tale year" as he set  a record and spread his dad's ashes over the salt. Frank is one of the most enegetic, genuine and humble guys out on the salt and it makes for a great interview!
Sep 5, 2023
29 min
The Legendary Scott Guthrie
THE LEGENDARY SCOTT GUTHRIE first took his Harley motorcycle to the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1973.  He was hooked after setting a record and getting to experience the spirit of land speed racing through fellow racers. He came back the following year with great success. He had even more success when he switched to a Yamaha that he brought out  in 1984. Scott teamed up with THE LEGENDARY JIM BURKDOLL and his Pink Thunder Streamliner to get into the Bonneville 200 MPH Club.  Scott continued to have a very successful land speed racing career just racking building teams and racking up records on both the lake and asphalt side of land speed racing. He eventually teamed up with THE LEGENDARY JOHN LEVIE to form Guthrie-Levie Racing, a team that holds over 200 records! Also, he just won this year's  (2023) Bonneville 200 MPH Club "Person of the Year Award"! 
Aug 17, 2023
1 hr 23 min
The Legendary Allison Volk Dean
Thirty one episodes and one year later from the very first episode of Land Speed Legends my niece, Megan Volk, interviews me THE LEGENDARY ALLISON VOLK DEAN. That seems weird to write about myself but like I tell all my guests, in land speed racing, everyone is  a legend in their own mind! In this episode of Land Speed Legends I talk about what it was like growing up in land speed racing out at the Bonneville Salt Flats. I also detail some of my racing experiences and getting into the Bonneville 200 MPH Club. I was office manager of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club for over ten years and I discuss how that role influenced my decision to start this podcast. Also I talk about raising a family out there and some of our families future plans! I would like to thank Megan for helping me out and doing an amazing job!
Aug 1, 2023
33 min
The Legendary Fred Dannenfelzer
The legendary Fred Dannenfelzer has the classic story of SoCal hot rodder turned drag racer turned land speed racer. His first trip to Bonneville with a car was in 1961 with a high boy roadster before he upgraded to a modified roadster. But his need for speed was not satisfied so he built a lakester with his eyes set on a 300 MPH record. He accomplished his goal and is a handful of people in both the Bonnevile & El Mirage 300 MPH Chapter of those 200 MPH Club's. He kept driving over 300 MPH until he was 79 years old! Now at 83 years old  he is the engine tuner for his lakester that his son-in law now drives. 
Jul 18, 2023
29 min
The Legendary Russ Eyres
THE LEGENDARY RUSS EYRES started racing and modifying motor scooters at a very young age on his family's farm in Iowa before they moved to San Diego in 1953. His interest in land speed racing was ignited when his brother's boss, Lou Bingham, let Russ and his brother help him work on his car he raced at Bonneville.  Eventually he decided to build his own car and raced in various classes. He entered the Bonneville 200 MPH Club in 2010 and brought a few others along with him too including his son, Eric. Russ also Chairman of the SCTA Roadster Committee, Secretary of Save the Salt and longtime member of the San Diego Roadster Club.
Jul 4, 2023
44 min
The Legendary Carlos Wheeldon
The LEGENDARY CARLOS WHEELDON'S dad introduced him to land speed racing at a young age and as he got older they dreamed of making  plans to visit the Bonneville Salt Flats. When his dad passed away Carlos realized there is no time like the present to go. From the moment he gets to the salt his encounters with people he meets confirms that he is meant to be there. After that first visit he ends up coming back every year, sacraficing life in England, to work events three months out of the year. Eventually he catches a ride on THE LEGENDARY CHAD ZUPAN's motorcycle, moves to the states and has big plans for a 200 MPH motorcycle record!
Jun 20, 2023
35 min
The Legendary Dennis Sullivan
Like most of our guests, THE LEGENDARY DENNIS SULLIVAN  was born with a love of cars and began other types of racing young. But eventually he found himself spectating at a race meet at the Bonneville Salt Flats and was hooked! After volunteering for the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association (USFRA) for several years he decided it was time to try the other side. He bought himself a street roadster and began setting land speed records not only at USRA meets but some East Coast Timing Association (ECTA) meets as well. He eventually became and still is president of the USFRA and chairman of the Utah Save The Salt Alliance. Dennis gives us some insider baseball on Save the Salt  and the issues surrounding it. 
Jun 6, 2023
54 min
The Legendary Donny Cummins
I can't think of very many people that love land speed racing as much as THE LEGENDARY DONNY CUMMINS! His roots in racing run deep and he was destined for this sport before he was even born! Knowledgeable, enthusiastic and hardworking he has big plans for his future in land speed racing and I am confident he is going to accomplish them!
May 23, 2023
52 min
The Legendary Mike Nish
From Sprint Cars to Indy Cars to Bonneville Mike Nish was a racing machine! His racing career mirrored his life with thrilling ups and devastating downs. But like a legend he overcame! His influence on land speed racing is undeniable. He entered the Bonneville 200 MPH Club and 300 MPH Chapter in 1996 with a speed of 304.700 MPH. He had many records and runs that excelled that speed, including a top speed of 412 MPH! Today we celebrate THE LEGENDARY MIKE NISH!!!
May 9, 2023
57 min
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