Bandag

The Bandag Bullet. Officially the world’s fastest truck.

The Bandag Bullet is the world’s fastest truck after blasting down the runway at the Queensland International Air Show held at Bundaberg Airport and smashing the world record for a one kilometre run - all on the world famous standard issue Bandag cold process retreads and new Bridgestone tyres.

The Bandag Bullet set the record for a conventionally powered truck, achieving an average speed of 182.14 kph over one kilometre from a standing start. The Bullet took just 19.76 seconds to cover the distance, reaching a calculated terminal speed of 305.5 kilometres per hour.

This easily eclipses the existing record held by a Swedish manufacturer and set in September 2001 of 155.7 kph over the same distance.

Carried out under the auspices of officials from the Guinness Book of Records, driver Frank Gaffiero and the Bandag Bullet racing team expect written confirmation of their place in history shortly.

Bandag Marketing Manager, Mr. Greg Nielsen, said: “The Bullet has proved over and over again that Bandag retreads and Bridgestone premium new tyres are the most reliable truck tyre products available and this is constantly proved by performing burnouts, spins and drag racing events that demand the best of tyres under extreme conditions.

"The combination of Bridgestone and Bandag brings together tyre technology that is second to none. As an indication of how good the Bandag cold process retread system is it is not unusual to retread the same Bridgestone cases for the Bullet up to 15 times." - Greg Nielsen

For the record attempt, the Bullet was fitted with new Bridgestone R294 275/70R22.5 tyres on the steer, and Bridgestone M729 315/80R22.5 cases that had been retreaded with Bandag cold process retreads on the drive.

The 24 litre (1500 cubic inch) Bullet is powered by two V8 92 series engines linked together with two superchargers and four turbo chargers. When injected with nitrous oxide the power is boosted to an amazing 2,800 horsepower. The truck weighs in at eight tonnes and has some 5,600 ft/lb of torque on tap.

The Making of a Legend

In 1983, Bandag Manufacturing Pty Ltd negotiated an agreement to sponsor Frank Gaffiero using his White Expeditor Truck as a Bandag Tyre Test Vehicle. Thus the “Bandag Bullet” was born.

Frank Gaffiero controls the wheel behind the Fastest Diesel Truck in the World and manoeuvres the eight tonne “Bullet” with tight precision in performing the world famous and spectacular 360 degree burnouts and spinouts.

There is no tougher, torture test for tyres and the Bandag retreads have never let Frank down. If they work on the Bandag Bullet they can work for any other transport operator.

Frank takes the Bandag Racing Team around Australia in his magnificent Transporter, performing and promoting the strength and durability of Bandag Retreads.

The Bandag Bullet. Mechanical Specification