Alex Taylor Achieves SCTA Record and Joins the 200 MPH Club
HOT ROD Garage co-host Alex Taylor has recently added impressive achievements to her resume—becoming a Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) Record Holder and 200 MPH Club member. The young driver and social media influencer set the C/CBALT record by running a 236.182 mph qualifying pass, and subsequently backing it up later in the day with a 235-mph return run, bringing her two-pass average to an incredible 235.638 mph. This remarkable performance outpaced the previous record of 224.331 mph, set by David Parks in September 1996. Taylor accomplished this feat while driving the “HOT ROD Special,” a 1980 Chevrolet Camaro owned by Tonya and Keith Turk, renowned for its legendary land speed exploits with David Freiburger.
Alex’s aspiration for the famed red hat, symbolizing membership in the prestigious SCTA 200 MPH Club, was a goal several years in the making. Alongside her family, under the guidance of Drag Week alumni Dennis Taylor, they updated the car while collaborating with the Turks on their record-breaking aspirations. The team painstakingly worked on the chassis, repairing and upgrading components to ensure optimum performance after nearly 20 years of land speed racing. The legendary Camaro has a rich history of record runs at Bonneville, El Mirage, Muroc Dry Lake, Loring (Maine), Beeville (Texas), and Maxton Mile (North Carolina). With nearly two dozen records set by six other drivers, including Freiburger, Tonya, Keith, Will Handzel, Steve Atwell, and Brad Johnson, Alex has now added her name to the storied legacy of this iconic car.
From the TV Screen to Bonneville Salt Flats
The team made excellent use of Freiburger’s collection of racing engines for this year’s record attempt, taking aim at the C-category in the Classic Blown Gas Altered, Coupe, and Sedan (CBALT) class. The small-block Chevy featured in an Engine Masters episode that aired on MotorTrend. The Dart-based engine boasts a displacement of 347 ci, with a 4.125-inch bore and 3.250-inch stroke. Components include a billet crank and rods from Crower, with JE Pistons custom-made for this engine. This potent engine operates with a compression ratio of 11.3:1, utilizing a custom grind developed by COMP Cams and Isky bushed .904 roller lifters.
The top-end configuration includes AFR 227 cylinder heads equipped with T&D shaft rocker arms, complemented by a Wilson-ported Edelbrock Super Victor intake manifold. The team opted for a CSU-modified Holley carburetor instead of EFI, entering the engine in a blown class due to the inclusion of the ProCharger F-1A-94 centrifugal supercharger, which operates at an impressive 18 psi of boost. A robust air-to-water intercooler ensures that excessive heat does not impede engine performance during runs that can last up to five miles. The engine assembly was handled by Freiburger, with machine work performed by Dougan’s Racing Engines in Jurupa Valley, CA. The setup previously generated 1,070 hp at 7,700 rpm using EFI and a different intake manifold on Westech’s dyno, achieving 1,003 rwhp on the chassis dyno.
The HOT ROD Special has undergone various engine configurations throughout its illustrious history, from naturally aspirated big-block combinations to those featuring bulky superchargers. Consistency remained prevalent in its drivetrain setup over the years, featuring a Tex Racing T101A four-speed transmission that operates clutchlessly, linked to a custom driveshaft connected to a Quick Change rear housing.
Moreover, Alex is proud to be a member of the HOT ROD 200 MPH Club, an honor she achieved during the 2022 event. The team plans to return to the drag strip next month for the 20th annual HOT ROD Drag Week, where Taylor will compete in the Ultimate Iron category with their twin-turbocharged 1955 Chevy 210.
