Ab Jenkins, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Ab Jenkins

At the time of his death established more world land speed records than any man alive.

Date of Birth: 25-Jan-1883

Place of Birth: Spanish Fork, Utah, United States

Date of Death: 09-Aug-1956

Profession: politician, racing automobile driver

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

David Abbott "Ab" Jenkins (January 25, 1883 – August 9, 1956) was the 24th mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah from 1940 to 1944 and was a professional race car driver.
Jenkins' interest in motorsports began with racing motorcycles on dirt tracks and cross country.
He then became interested in land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
He was instrumental in establishing Bonneville as a location for such events, and in attracting overseas drivers such as George Eyston and Sir Malcolm Campbell to compete there. He drove the Duesenberg "Mormon Meteor" to a 24-hour average land speed record of 135 miles per hour (217 km/h) in 1935.
In 1940 Jenkins set the 24-hour record of a 161.180 mph (259.394 km/h) average that lasted for 50 years (until 1990).He died on a visit to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.