The Stone Age Man @ San Fernando Drag Strip in US Turbine 1

The US Turbine 1, driven by George Hutcheson, had a small power plant (turbine weight of 85 pounds) was originally built for testing bearings. The turbine would start spinning, in an instant, at 72000 rpm's in 7 tenths of a second. It provided a continuous burst of intense thrust. From a standstill, when George hit the throttle, he could not throttle back. It was either turned ON at 100%, or it was OFF. And if George wanted to provide an exciting show for the spectators, it was ON, spinning the tires, on a wild ride, like you where on a ¼ mile of black ice, at speed. Its diet of oxygen, propel nitrate, and nitrogen that would combine in the space age rocket chamber and propel it down the track. It worked, just as it was designed. The turbine driven engine consisted basically of a carefully designed circular chamber (snail housing) where a rocket type burner was ignited and the thrust of the burned gases would cause the US Turbine 1 engine to spin at high revs. This movement was converted into a more useable power source by means of a reduction gear. The turbine reached speeds of 72,000 rpm. The reduction gear brought this movement to a more useable rpm speed with astonishing high torque output. This micro-turbo engine was really powerful! Only one problem, no human being had the guts or skill to take this wild ride further than just a few hundred feet. Fling Traylor, the wealthy owner, was despondent and out of hope in seeing his creation ever make a full 1/4 mile pass. All his money and pride couldn't make it happen. He ordered Frank Huszar of Race Car Specialties (the US Turbine 1 Chassis and components builder) to crate it up and send it into exile forever, to be on public display at the Smithsonian for all to see and wonder why....
Frank Huszar lobbied hard for his shop foreman George Hutcheson, who he believed could reign in and run this wild turbine ride. Fling said, he was against it but would think about it. Fling had watched the George drive (The Stone Age Man dragster) and win over the years. He liked his flare and showmanship style. Fling was told by many others, that whatever George drove, he could make it work. Fling desperately wanted his creation to run. Though, he didn't want to be disappointed all over again. A week later Fling called George. He told him, "George, I've watched you at the track and if anyone can do it, it would be you. After hitting the switch, there is going to be a big explosion and thirty feet of flame shooting out the back as full power is transferred from the turbine engine to the rear wheels. Hold on and don't let off, because it will shut down the engine, and you wont be able to restart once it shuts off." Fling explained. As George lets go of the US Turbine 1, it explodes out the back with a twenty feet long flame and white smoke encircling the big Goodyear slicks as the front end jumps upwards. The US Turbine 1 often drifts sideways and George keeps his cool while correcting for the drift as he keeps his foot in it. The G-forces are different than his Stone Age Man dragster, as all the forces are on his head and neck as his body is being pushed back. It shakes violently as the engine screams with a high pitch sound as the Stone Age Man is off on another great run. To see full story, go to website http://wediditforlove.com/USTurbine.html.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• US
• Turbine
• Dragster
• The
• Stone
• Age
• Man
• San
• Fernando
• Drag
• Nostalgia
• Racing
• Turbonique
• Hot
• Rod

[Preen59]

WOW! The Stone Age Man himself! You're a legend mate. And a true Pioneer. I love reading up on the history of this stuff. :-)

[screenflot]

I used to go to San fernando with my dad from '62 to '67. What great memories. Thanks for the vid!

[royaldadness]

Got to know George over the last few years at my place of business. Regret that I can't say I've ever seen him race, other than on you tube vids. But, visiting with him and taking the time to listen to his history first hand is remarkable! What a great man and I'm proud to have gotten to meet someone of his bravery and accomplishments not enough people like out there!!! .

[ROCKYPEAK1]

@crympaz2003 Wow, so while George was calling the car "Fling Traylor's US Turbin 1, your Dad was hating every minute?  George said he got the car because he was the only driver to make a complete pass (although he caught the weeds on fire most of the time).

[DeathWishDriver]

@ROCKYPEAK1

The only two people associated with the "death wish" motorcycle were Larry Gran and Roy Hamilton. Larry was the driver, and Roy the wrench. I am Larry Gran.

[MrFrontenginedragste]

That was one great piece of driving. George was really out of shape on that run, yet he managed to pull it back in line. I doubt there was any getting out of the throttle as a rocket engine is all or nothing.

[crympaz2003]

Great Hat. My dad is Fling Traylor, He says the US TURBINE ONE was one of the biggest mistakes of his life.

[samsggramps]

we raced with george in the late 60's I was with jack raitt and the syndicate car, george drove that car too. bobby runyon drove the syndicate. now we are running the heritage series. same people we are just a lot older. these old videos are great ...

[ROCKYPEAK1]

@stoneageman100 Didn't find that (but I did find out allot about Root Beer). Another memory was a guy showed up to your garage with a Turbinique powered Motorcycle named "Death Wish" Prophetic I believe as it was Gary Gabblich (sp?)

[stoneageman100]

@ROCKYPEAK1 Rocky your close read the story at I got the from

Frank Hedge "root beer Frank"

[stoneageman100]

@ROCKYPEAK1 test

[ROCKYPEAK1]

I remember The Stone Age Man and I remember why he called himself that (it has to do with how many passes he made on one engine). How'z that George?