Dirty Two Hundred Club

The Dirty Two Hundred Club is an exclusive motorsport achievement awarded to drivers who break land speed records by exceeding 200 miles per hour on a dry lake bed or similar racing surface.

This prestigious recognition comes from sanctioning bodies like the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), which oversees land speed racing events. To earn membership in the Dirty Two Hundred Club, a driver must not only hit speeds over 200 mph but also officially break an existing record in their vehicle class during a sanctioned event.

The term "dirty" refers to the challenging racing conditions on dry lake beds like El Mirage Lake in California's Mojave Desert. These natural racing surfaces kick up enormous clouds of dust and dirt as vehicles accelerate to extreme speeds, creating visibility issues and coating everything in grit.

Land speed racing takes place on these flat, hard-packed dirt surfaces that stretch for miles, providing the long distances needed for vehicles to safely reach maximum velocity. Unlike traditional racetracks, these remote desert locations offer minimal infrastructure but maximum space for high-speed runs.

The club system extends beyond the initial 200 mph threshold. Drivers who achieve even higher speeds can join the exclusive 300 Club or the elite 400 Club, with membership becoming increasingly rare as speeds increase. Some racing communities also refer to the Dirty Two Hundred Club simply as the "2 Club."

Earning club membership requires more than just speed—it demands precision driving, mechanical expertise, and often years of preparation. Many drivers spend decades modifying their vehicles and perfecting their technique before achieving record-breaking runs.

These achievements represent significant milestones in motorsport, as breaking 200 mph safely requires exceptional skill, specialized equipment, and ideal weather conditions on the challenging dirt surfaces where land speed records are set.