Gary and Dan Hix set out to set a new land speed record in 2000 in the XXO GALT class. They built a 1950 Buick Roadmaster Deluxe with a straight 8, the original Buick engine, to race at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Their efforts paid off with a speed of 129.168 and a new record in their class by the Hart & Hix Racing Team. When returning to Bonneville in 2001, once again the team of Hart & Hix Racing broke their own record and set a new one: 131.422.
Gary was pleased but wanted to push it further and go faster. So with his "New" 1953 Studebaker running a Blown 509 Big Block Chevy, Gary sought to join the 200 MPH Club in 2002. With a maiden run in June at Maxton, NC of 179.802, he knew some tweaking was in order but felt confident it would go at least 200 in Bonneville. He was right! He set a new record of 205.047 on the salt. Unfortunately, due to the minimum requirement of this class set at 245, he did not gain membership into the 200 MPH Club.
In 2003, racing in the same class, he broke his old record and set a new one at 206.539.
For 2004, Gary switched classes, and once again tried for the 200 MPH Club. Again, the club eluded him, BUT he did set a NEW record at the SCTA World Finals with a speed of 213.972.
In 2005, Gary and his friend Mike Collison, once again took the Buick out for a run. They set 3 new records at Maxton, NC. Check out the new pictures of the Buick, provided by Nancy & Jon Wennerberg, and the new records, on the NEW Buick page.
Page updated 3.14.08