Odyssey Dragster

The Odyssey Dragster epitomizes a daring leap in drag racing technology, stemming from a unique blend of ambition and engineering prowess. Originally conceived by Wayne Knuth, the Odyssey was designed to leverage the formidable power of turbine engines. Its inception began with an intriguing twist of fate when Knuth sought to acquire a turbine engine from Bill Wildt, the host of Motorsports Unlimited.

Wildt, initially reluctant to part with his prized turbine engine, was approached by Knuth and his team, who were on a mission to source turbine motors for their latest project. Knuth’s team had been scouring the country, looking for high-powered turbines to address the increasing speed demands of Top Fuel dragsters. Despite Wildt’s initial reservations, the two parties struck a deal where Wildt sold not only the turbine engine but also a collection of valuable parts and the coveted 1,000 horsepower S-28 Turbonique rocket axle. This axle was crucial for the Odyssey, providing the structural integrity and power delivery necessary for high-performance drag racing.

The Odyssey Dragster emerged from this collaboration as a state-of-the-art machine, incorporating the cutting-edge technology of its time. With a design aimed at exploiting the advantages of turbine engines, the Odyssey quickly made its mark, achieving remarkable speeds over 228 miles per hour in a quarter mile. However, as drag racing technology advanced, Knuth and his team faced challenges with fuel pressure and turbine wheel reliability, which eventually led them to transition towards a jet dragster configuration.

Despite these setbacks, the Odyssey Dragster remains a symbol of technological innovation and competitive spirit in drag racing. Its story highlights the remarkable journey from sourcing high-performance components to pushing the limits of speed and engineering, capturing a pivotal moment in the evolution of drag racing.

Here is a comprehensive video from Bill Wildt's perspective on Odyssey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL6My1_-3aY&t=1703s

See the Odyssey in action: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EWVpLffh6/