[Excaliber]

Salt flat speed records are measured over a mile distance BOTH ways within an hours time. That is far different than a short run down the straight away of a race track.

Not taking anything away from Dick, who by the way, has stated his actual speed was in excess of 200 mph at some point during those tests. Using gear/speed/tire size calculators reveal that LESS than 8000 rpm is required to hit 198 mph.

7600 rpm, 29" tire (allow for GROWTH, could be even taller at speed), 3.31 rear gear, 1 to 1 trans gear= 198. 7700 rpm is 200 mph.