Speed Demon: The Tractor Engine That Powered a Norwegian Racer to 180 MPH

In the early 20th century, Wisconsin was the hub of engine manufacturing, with companies like Wisconsin Motor, Kohler, and Briggs & Stratton producing powerful workhorses that powered everything from lawnmowers to industrial equipment. One notable engine, the Wisconsin T-Head, was used in various cars, trucks, and even aircraft.

A unique version of this engine, an 836-cubic-inch inline six, was built by Wisconsin Motor and found its way into Sig Haughdahl's 1922 Wisconsin Special race car. Haughdahl, a Norwegian-born racing enthusiast, had a passion for speed and had been racing in America since 1912. He built the Wisconsin Special to take on the land speed record, which had been set in 1914 by Lydston Hornsted in the Blitzen Benz.

With the massive engine producing 250 hp, Haughdahl achieved an incredible 180 mph at Daytona Beach in April 1922, smashing the previous record by over 55 mph. Although his record attempt was disallowed due to his non-membership in the AAA, Haughdahl's achievement was still remarkable.

He went on to become a champion dirt track racer and later played a key role in the founding of NASCAR, working with Millard Conklin and Bill France, Sr. 2-mile oval course in Daytona. Haughdahl's life was a testament to his love of speed and his contributions to the world of motorsports.

His legacy continues to inspire racing enthusiasts to this day. With his impressive achievements and contributions to the sport, Haughdahl's story is one of passion, dedication, and a need for speed. The Wisconsin Special, with its powerful engine, remains an iconic symbol of Haughdahl's pursuit of speed and his place in the history of motorsports.