Al Jimenez Sets Leaf Spring World Record With 6.84 At 211 MPH

Have you ever heard of Al Jimenez? Well, you have now. Al Jimenez started this project with an $800 beater car, and over time its evolved into the quickest car in the world on leaf springs. How quick is it? How does a 6.84 at over 211 mph grab ya? That’s right – on leaf springs! The pass took place during Saturday’s qualifying sessions just this past weekend at the NMCA West’s event at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California, as Al reset his own world record from last fall. 

Jimenez was running in the Mickey Thompson True Ten 5 class, competing against six other racers in the slick-tire class. By the time qualifying was over, Jimenez had dominated the competition, easily qualifying at the top of the field with this 6.84 blast, while the next closest competitor was Rodger Holder in his 2000 Camaro with a 7.98 – a full second back.

The car currently uses a QMP-built 525 cubic-inch big-block Chevrolet engine pumped up by a ProCharger F-3R supercharger to achieve those incredible elapsed times. Our previous report from last fall states that the car makes over 1,800 horsepower to the tires, and we’d be willing to bet it’s a little bit more these days. The ’72 Camaro isn’t the most aerodynamic piece, but Jimenez sticks with the proven platform, and it’s netted him great results.

A first round bye led him to Mark Luton in the second round of competition, where he put Luton on the trailer, 7.09 to Luton’s 7.61, before meeting up with Holder in the final round of competition. There, despite giving up a tenth on the tree, Jimenez was able to easily take home the win with a soft 8.07 to Holder’s 9.16 shutdown pass. All in all, a great weekend for Jimenez – he gets to cart home a Wally for his troubles, and lay claim to the quickest and fastest leaf spring-equipped car in the world. A fine showing!