In an effort led by Hal Needham….another Hollywood stuntman like Stan Barrett…..and sponsored by Budweiser….the Budweiser Rocket was built with the intention of being the first land vehicle to break the sound barrier. The 3-wheeler was powered by a hybrid liquid and solid-fuel rocket engine. The solid fuel booster engine essentially came from a Sidewinder missile. At Rogers Dry Lake on Edwards AFB….the vehicle was driven by Stan Barrett….on December 17, 1979…made an attempt to break the sound barrier. The claimed speed of 739.666 mph….which equals Mach 1.01….. was never officially recorded.
