Land Speed Racing Pioneer and Hot Rodding Legend, George Poteet has passed away suddenly. He was announced dead on Wednesday, July 16, 2024 following by reports informing the public how he tragically died, including his accomplishments in the Racing world and beyond. He will always be missed by all those who knew him during the course of his life.

What you need to know

The demise of George Poteet is a sad one, he was a devoted enthusiast of custom cars and land speed racing, whose list of achievements is long and diverse within our wonderful sport. At the time of his death, George was 75 years old. He was best known for his creation of Speed Demon, the fastest piston-driven automobile in the world, and for winning the HOT ROD Trophy eleven times, which is granted to the fastest car in the SCTA’s Speed Week competition. Over fifty times in his life, he has exceeded 400 mph, setting six FIA world records and thirteen SCTA Bonneville marks. Another well-known land speed racer owned by George is Blowfish, a 1969 Plymouth Barracuda that broke the 300 mph mark and has a distinctive appearance because of the the efforts of Rad Rides by Troy.

Not only was Poteet well-known for his racing at Bonneville and El Mirage, but he also amassed a number of important victories with his bespoke vehicles. He has been the recipient of two of the most prestigious car show prizes, America’s Most Beautiful Roadster and the Don Ridler Memorial Award, over the years. The best in the business, such as Rad Rides by Troy, Roadster Shop, Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop, Rolling Bones Hot Rod Shop, Cal Automotive, and others, have built special automobiles for the Memphis, Tennessee-based businessman. He will be known for his unwavering dedication to perfection and for encouraging and facilitating the advancement of builders, fabricators, and designers in their profession. The Poteet family and their racing team offer our deepest sympathies. George’s contributions to the sport and pastime have inspired many generations of auto fans worldwide.