By Louise Ann Noeth

The Bonneville Salt Flats is an immense expanse of land so large the astronauts use it as a landmark

while orbiting the planet. So blindingly crystal white, so endlessly flat, you can see the curvature of the earth. It is here people come to test themselves and their speed machines.

It was here that I began to understand the penetrating impact and inspiring influence of Al Teague — nothing short of a great American champion. After decades of speed runs, Al retired the Spirit of 76 Streamliner from active competition at the close of the 2002 season, but 15 years have done little to erase him and his mighty steed from land speed lore.

Why? Consider what others have witnessed about this ordinary guy who has done rather extraordinary things.

These days, we gotta be mindful of our real heroes, and not let them get too far out of our memory. Oh, and imagine what it would mean if your peers had this to say about you. . .

Let’s start with the late Shav Glick, the inveterate motorsports columnist at the Los Angeles Times. He said:

“In all my years of reporting, and that covers a hell of a long time, I have never met anyone so unassuming and unpretentious who has accomplished such a rare feat as Al Teague.”

Don Sherman, former editor of Car & Driver Magazine added:

“Al Teague has achieved more speed with fewer resources than any man or woman in racing while upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship.”

Offenhauser Author and Automotive Curator for the Smithsonian Museum Gordon Eliot White revealed:

“I only met Al fleetingly at Bonneville where he was a prince and I — speed-wise — was a pauper, but I was honored to be on the same course with him.”

Glen Barrett, former Southern California Timing Association Chief Timer who once had “the Best Seat in the House” because he got to watch every car come whistling down the sparkling Bonneville racecourse observed:

“There are only a few people that draw the attention like Al Teague; he and his crew are what land speed racing is all about.”

Tom Burkland, builder, owner and driver of the Dreamscicle Orange 411 streamliner, is one of only very few racers that have exceeded 400 miles an hour. An engineer by trade; he is not prone to proffering sentimental praise, gave a peer review:

“Al is one of our heroes; he has served as an example to all of us with his dedication and tenacity in pursuit of the elusive high-speed records over the years.

His car, the entire operation are traditional “Hot Rod” all the way. It came from his mother’s back yard garage primarily supported by his own funding and a large volunteer crew effort.

The configuration of the car is unique. It is the only single engine two-wheel drive car to exceed 400 mph. This combination has made more 350+ mph runs than any vehicle in history, what incredible repeatable success.

As former Gary Cagle Chief Timer used to say when Al left the starting line, Heads up! It’s Al Teague.”

Richard Parks, son of Wally Parks, founder of the National Hot Rod Association, noted:

“It is difficult to separate Al from his gracious wife, Jane, and her brother, Alan Welch. I see them together, as a team, not only working on the car, but also constantly giving each other support. Al doesn’t say much, nor interfere with the way others race their cars, but you can count on Al’s help whenever you ask for it.”

Dave Campos who set the World Motorcycle Record at 322mph, remembered Al’s first year out with the Spirit of ’76:

“In 1976 we took the Jammer bike to the salt to start to shake out the bugs. Al Teague was there with his new lakester doing the same thing.

Almost every time Al ran, something would go wrong with his parachutes and he would have to use his brakes. The brake linings would get so hot that they would catch fire and MY pit crew would follow Al down the track with MY extinguisher to put out the fire leaving me to wait alone after a run until they were satisfied Al was out of danger.

Al is always there to help you in any way and it was great to be able to help him out for a change.”

Crack engine builder and tuner Dave Dahlgren remembered:

A guy brought his son out to the salt for the first time from Missouri who was a big Al Teague fan. We happened to cross paths and I asked Al if we could take a picture of him and the kid next to the streamliner.

Al says, “Sure, but we’ll do better than that” and puts the kid in the car for a picture. That boy was overwhelmed. Children have lots of heroes but most of those heroes never actually take the time to acknowledge their fans, especially the kids.”

Racer and photographer Will Scott once told me:

“Al has to be one of the most patient, humble, focused and accomplished backyard racer the world has ever known. I’ve seen him calmly share himself with people after all night thrashes, immediately before, and after, 400 mph runs (hell, he’d probably be available during one if anyone could keep up with him) he is truly a man of the people.”

Owner of ERC Racing Fuels Rick Gold, who has observed Teague’s operation on the salt for 12 years, concluded:

“The sheer number of good, solid runs that Al made down the salt always hugely impressed me. It struck me that you very rarely saw Al abort a run. In my opinion, this spoke to his core competence as a racer.”

Motorsports people like to hang up pictures of their heroes everywhere. The speed machine is a treasured icon, just as precious as a wedding photo, or of a grandchild or parent.

One such wall was built in the 1800s dairy farmers home that became a comfortable manor house in the south of England.

Here lived Richard Noble, O. B. E. World Land Speed Record holder, who in 1983 drove a jet powered car 633mph and then, as the owner of ThrustSSC, obliterated the sound barrier on land at 763 mph making it the fastest automobile on earth. Richard told me:

“It was 1991 and I was on Bonneville for Speedweek to watch Art Arfons who was campaigning the last Green Monster for an attack on my record.

You tend to feel extraordinarily vulnerable if your hard-fought-for record is under threat and like me, you knew very few people from the wheel driven community.

Al made me feel welcome in his pit area and explained the huge, life-long battle he had been fighting with the Speed-o-Motive car to try to set a world record.

In my study, hanging just above a photo of ThrustSSC is a photo from Al. It is a picture of Speed-o-Motive, alone on the salt. On it Al wrote:

“To Richard,
Best wishes on your new project.
Al Teague
432mph Bonneville 91”

It tells you everything about Al.