In all great technological pursuits there are differences of approach, opinion, direction, and design. Sometimes these differences are small enough to be worked through and sometimes these differences mean that people need to go their separate directions. Apparently that happened some time ago with Don Garlits/Mike Lawless and several of the original members of the effort to put an electric dragster down the quarter mile at a speed of 200mph. Garlits tested the other day and despite his best efforts, did not make the 200mph mark. As we have recently learned through this announcement below, several members of the original effort have not been with the Garlits effort since July and have taken up their own effort to make the mark with Melanie Troxel.

While it is tough news to hear that the original team has broken up, the fact that we now have a legitimate race for the mark. As history has shown time and time and time again, when more than one party is chasing something, the technology and performance advances at a rate far more briskly than it would with a single effort. The space race and virtually every other human technological achievement came down to one side against the other to figure it out. And here we are again.

This is a developing story. We plan on following up with these guys. Stay tuned.

Here’s the full statement from the Quest For 200 Facebook page! 

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT:
QF200 created and constructed “Swamp Rat 37” for the express purpose of having Don Garlits exceed 200 MPH in the ¼ mile in a battery-powered dragster. The SR-37 vehicle was fabricated and brought to life through the tireless hands-on efforts of the following people:

1) Brad Hadman Race Cars built a fine race-worthy machine.
2) Derek Barger/Hightech Systems LLC engineered an amazing 1.5 megawatt battery system.
3) The famed Kenny Youngblood produced a stunning fine art portrait of the vehicle and provided the artistic direction for every styling cue.
4) Eric Reyes rendered the car masterfully, hand lettered the cowl names and Swampy logo, and applied all of the graphics.
5) Jeff Disinger helped immensely as EV consultant from the original concept forward.
6) Lincoln Electric was on board from the beginning and staged the unveiling event in their booth at SEMA 2013.
7) Bret Goethe Enterprises engineered the driveline system.
7) Mel Uechi of Mel’s Metalworks, Las Vegas, NV helped us to refine the alloy shapes of the nose and fabricate the rear bodywork.
8) Art Goldstrom Enterprises furnished shop and storage space for the dragster in Las Vegas, NV.

In July of 2014 the differences between QF200 and Don Garlits / Shawn Lawless reached the point of our separation from the project, although not of our choosing. We believe that those differences have since spoken for themselves in the performance of the vehicle.
We are extremely pleased today to unveil the concept for our next EV dragster. The concept is by industrial designer Mark Micelli. Kenny Youngblood, Eric Reyes and custom car builder/designer Coby Gewertz will provide design and style input as well. With that much design talent, and the original SR-37 build team, this should be an absolutely incredible vehicle!
Once constructed the vehicle will be driven by a female racer, one with a current Top Fuel competition license, one with National wins in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Mod!

Schedule permitting, our next EV dragster will be driven by none other than Melanie Troxel!

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW THE QUEST FOR 200 EFFORT ON FACEBOOK