The fastest vehicles in the world will be featured throughout 2018 at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in the interactive exhibit “SPEED: Science in Motion.” The museum is celebrating competition, record-setting and racing throughout the year, with some of the world’s fastest vehicles — planes, jets, cars, motorcycles and space ships —on display.
The Museum invited Scitech and Imagine Exhibitions to produce the exhibit to augment those of the world’s fastest aircraft and space vehicles already on display at the Museum, including the record-setting Mach 3-plus SR-71 Blackbird, which set numerous records for the fastest speeds achieved in an airplane while flying at more than 2,200 mph. Also there is the original Apollo 9 capsule that set the record for the fastest speed in space by traveling 24,791 mph on May 26, 1969. The Bell X-1 replica prominently displayed in the Museum’s Rotunda ushered in the supersonic age when it broke the sound barrier on October 14, 1947.
A novel aspect of the exhibit is that the display will change every month, with February dedicated to “Land Speed Record Holders,” and featuring Art Arfons’ Green Monster along with a number of speed-record motorcycles and streamliners.
“This is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see some of the most iconic Land-Speed Record-Holders together in the same place for the first time ever,” said Jim Kidrick, the museum’s President and CEO. “Throughout 2018, ‘SPEED: Science in Motion’ offers an exciting lineup of the fastest planes, jets, rockets, cars, motorcycles, boats and bicycles in the world.”
Following the Land Speed Record Holders in February, March will turn to Drag Racing and April will feature Race Boats. Speed, Elegance and Electric kicks off the summer in May, June will present Sports Cars, and Hot Rods will heat up July. Motorcycles, Bicycles and Lowriders take over in August, while September turns to Open Wheel and Go Karts. Hollywood and Movie Cars roll in for October, while Drift, Rally and Interactive cars take over in November and Off-Road rounds out the year in December.
This immersive experience is designed to expose the cutting-edge science and technology behind professional motor sports. Visitors can challenge themselves through hands-on exhibits and displays to see if they have the skills, fitness and reactions to race at more then 125 mph.
The San Diego Air & Space Museum is California’s official air and space museum and education center. The Museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and was the first aero-themed museum to be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Museum is located at 2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, San Diego, California. Daily hours run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with admissions until 4:30 p.m. The museum will be closed, however, on both Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For complete information please visit www.sandiegoairandspace.org
