March 11, 1885 – Land speed record setter Sir Malcolm Campbell is born
Royal Flying Corps veteran, race car driver and land speed record setter Sir Malcolm Campbell was born on this day in 1885. Prior to the breakout of WWI, Campbell began racing cars and motorcycles in England. When drafted into service in 1914, he began his military career as a motorcycle dispatch. By war's end he'd find himself as a pilot, a job that only increased his love of speed.
Above: Malcolm Campbell. Top: Campbell with 1931 Napier Bluebird
Though he would remain an active military member until age 60, he made plenty of time for his speed obsessions. He broke the land speed record for the first time in 1924, when he reached 146.16 mph in a V12 Sunbeam. He'd fight to maintain his position as fastest man on the ground up through his final record setting run in 1935. In tha...
