The Last Hero

John Pearson

On July 17, 1964, Donald Campbell, son of Sir Malcolm Campbell, set a record of 403.10 mph for a four-wheeled vehicle—Class A. This record was set on the salt flat of Lake Eyre, Australia. John Pearson spent time with Campbell during the preparations for the assault on the land speed record—and through many of the long days and months of waiting for the salt surface to accommodate a proper run. These were months of frustration, delays, inaction, and impatience; months of bad weather, dust storms, heat and the rain that would inevitably prevent trails or speed attempts.