50 years ago Big Daddy broke 200mph

[Qikbbstang]

https://autos.yahoo.com/news/big-daddy-don-garlits-broke-200-mph-mark-152427934.html

[cammerfe]

There was considerable discussion during the time leading up to the '59 Nationals---to be held at then-brand-new Detroit Dragway---that there would never be a speed above 160. Somebody 'did the math' and it was a physical impossibility!

KS

[jayb]

The "somebody" was a physics professor at some university, and he based his assumptions on having perfect 1:1 grip between the tire and the track.  But his theory was flawed, of course, because race tires + VHT yield better than a 1:1 grip.

[Qikbbstang]

That physics professor's theory was flawed.
          I was given a collection of Rod & Custom magazines back from when it was a Hot Rod and Car Model magazine. They had a article: Will 200mph 1/4 mile ever be broken? and went on to detail it would require two sets of rear tires/axles that somehow swap so the car could start off on slicks and switch to Land Speed Record tires at about half track.

[Heo]

In a way they do it today! Tires grow and become higher and narrower as the speed increase