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Honoring a Legend

ARP Pays Tribute to George Poteet at the 75th Grand National Roadster Show

The 75th Annual Grand National Roadster Show went down from January 31 to February 2, 2025, and for those who live and breathe speed, this one hit different. ARP Racing Products turned their booth into a full-blown tribute to land speed legend George Poteet, who passed away last year, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.

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The Auto Builder Staff

Photography by Scott Killeen

Speed Demon 715 is a land speed streamliner. It is currently the fastest piston engine/wheel driven car in the world.

The Grand National Roadster Show

The Grand National Roadster Show is the indoor car show. The one that’s been setting the bar for 75 years. Held at the Pomona Fairplex, it’s the place where hot rods, customs, muscle cars, and everything cool with wheels come together under one roof. This year, amidst the insane builds and rolling artwork, the tribute to Poteet stood out—not just as a remembrance, but as a reminder of what’s possible when you push the envelope.

Remembering George Poteet
If you know anything about speed, you know George Poteet wasn’t just another guy in the game—he was the guy. A true racer, a visionary, and a flat-out speed freak in the best possible way. The man behind the legendary Speed Demon 715, Poteet wasn’t about the talk—he was about setting records and making history. That car? Fastest piston-engine, wheel-driven land speed car in the world. That’s not just fast—that’s history in motion.

The Speed Demon 715

ARP brought out the big guns for this tribute, giving fans a close-up look at the Speed Demon 715. This isn’t just any car—it’s the pinnacle of land speed engineering. A machine that cracked the 400-mph barrier and shattered more records than any other in its class. Standing next to it, you could almost feel the salt beneath your feet and hear the roar of the turbo V8 screaming across Bonneville. It was a moment for every gearhead who ever dreamed of pushing the limits.

Why It Mattered

George Poteet wasn’t just a racer; he was an inspiration. His dedication, his drive, and his willingness to push beyond what was thought possible made him a legend. The folks at ARP knew it, and that’s why this tribute mattered. It wasn’t just about looking back—it was about celebrating the kind of relentless passion that moves the entire industry forward.

Keeping the Legacy Alive

For those who made it to the ARP booth, it wasn’t just about paying respects—it was about being part of something bigger. Poteet’s legacy isn’t just in the records he set, but in the spirit he embodied. And if this show proved anything, it’s that true speed demons never fade—they just keep inspiring the next wave of racers to go even faster.

Here's George sitting in his Booneville streamliner Speed Demon. Photo courtesy of Stephen K Anderson

ARTICLE SOURCES

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ARP Automotive Racing Products

1863 Eastman Avenue, Ventura, CA 93003

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Speed Demon

A webpage dedicated to Speed Demon 715, the fastest piston engine/wheel driven car in the world.

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