Subject: Fw: Don Vessco, Died today - Godspeed
Author: rick woods
Date: Dec 16, 2002, 4:47 PM
Post ID: 1711586328
12/16/2002
INDUSTRY NEWS - Don Vesco, 1939-2002
By Paul Carruthers
The World's Fastest
Don Vesco, the current wheel-driven land speed record holder and a
former motorcycle land-speed record holder, died today at Mercy Hospital
in San Diego, California, after a bout with cancer. Vesco was 63 years
old.
Vesco held 18 motorcycle and six automotive records at the Bonneville
Salt Flats, and he owned the outright motorcycle land-speed record for
19 years with his 318.598 mph run. He is also the current wheel-driven
land speed record holder with his run of 458.44 mph set earlier this
year.
In addition to his speed records, Vesco was also a successful road racer
and was the founder and owner of Don Vesco Yamaha in El Cajon,
California, a dealership that also sponsored many a road racer -
including 250cc World Champion Kel Carruthers and former Grand National
Champion Gene Romero.
Godspeed, Don