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Category | Group 6 sports prototype | ||||||||
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Constructor | McKee Engineering | ||||||||
Designer(s) | ![]() ![]() | ||||||||
Technical specifications | |||||||||
Chassis | Tubular space frame | ||||||||
Suspension (front) | Double wishbone with coil spring | ||||||||
Suspension (rear) | Double wishbone with coil spring | ||||||||
Length | 154 in (3,900 mm) [1] | ||||||||
Width | 71.5 in (1,820 mm)[1] | ||||||||
Height | 46.5 in (1,180 mm)[1] | ||||||||
Axle track | Front: 58.5 in (1,490 mm) Rear: 56.5 in (1,440 mm)[1] | ||||||||
Wheelbase | 93.5 in (2,370 mm) or 91.25 in (2,318 mm)[1] | ||||||||
Engine | Continental TS325-1 2,960 cc (181 cu in) two-stage gas turbine mid-mounted | ||||||||
Transmission | 1-speed (electric motor for reverse) | ||||||||
Fuel | Jet A | ||||||||
Tyres | Goodyear | ||||||||
Competition history | |||||||||
Notable entrants | ![]() | ||||||||
Notable drivers | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||||
Debut | 1968 24 Hours of Daytona | ||||||||
Last season | 1968 | ||||||||
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Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
Drivers' Championships | 0 |
The Howmet TX (Turbine eXperimental) is an American sports prototype racing car designed in 1968 to test the competitive use of a gas turbine engine in sports car racing. Planned by racing driver Ray Heppenstall, the TX combined a chassis built by McKee Engineering, turbine engines leased from Continental Aviation & Engineering, and financial backing and materials from the Howmet Corporation.[2]
Although not the first attempt at using a turbine powerplant in auto racing, the Howmet TX was the first and is still the only turbine to win a race,[2] earning two Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) race victories and two qualifying sprint victories during its only year of competition.[3] The TX later set six Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) land speed records for turbines after being retired from racing.[2]