The Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds (JBPG) runway, located in Merritt Island FL. is not only the widest and flattest runway in the world but also close to the longest. For over 10 years, Johnny Bohmer has been performing Straight Line Aerodynamic Testing for many manufacturers and thousands of vehicles here. The all concrete runway is 3 miles long with an additional 1000 ft. asphalt runoff on each end. The runway is also 100 yds. wide with an additional 50ft wide traffic lane on each side and has an elevation variance of only 1⁄4 in. from north to south over the 3 miles making this one of the flattest, large surface concrete platforms in the world. You hardly notice the 24 in. crown in the center of the runway due to the immense width of the surface.
In todays’ time, the availability of concrete would make this runway
impossible to build. The traction is also substantially better here than any street surface; not as good as a drag strip, but much better than the street.
Johnny Bohmer has developed a program to debunk myths and fact check the manufacturer’s claims of vehicles performance. While testing the vehicles, Johnny’s team will data log each vehicle and record the findings. These have been useful to many manufacturers because of the vehicles ability to drive at speed for 2.5 miles while still have a safe, shut down area. Performance videos will be posted to the public on the recently started, Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds YouTube channel.
The vehicles being tested are timed and speed checked with Garmin and GoPro interior monitoring
systems. External timing and speed are performed by the International Mile Racing Association (IMRA) who is a sanctioning body accepted by numerous auto groups and the Guinness Book of World Records.
Johnny and his team will routinely test 1⁄2 mile, 1 mile, 1.5 mile, 2 mile, 2.3 mile, 2.5 mile and 2.7 mile-distances. Manufacturers come from all over the world to test many types of vehicles at JBPG including sports cars, race cars, tractor trailers, electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, fire safety, law enforcement and the list goes on.
On May 4, 2019, Johnny Bohmer had a small group of vehicles testing at JBPG; ranging from the
McLaren Senna and 720S to the Ford Raptor and Ferrari 599. The weather conditions that day are listed below.
Weather Conditions:
10am:
Temp: 26C/78F
Dew point: 22C/72F
Humidity: 79%
Wind: 08kt (09 mph) Direction: SE
Density Alt +1548
Barometric Pressure: 30.00
Surface Temp: 27.2C/81F
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3pm:
Temp: 31C/88F
Dew point: 23C/73F
Humidity: 62%
Wind: 08kt (09 mph) Direction: SE
Density Alt +2184
Barometric Pressure: 29.95
Surface Temp: 35C/95F
We tested a stock, 2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE over 2.7 miles and were eager to see the results. The professional driver performed the test and was able to achieve 178.387 MPH (323.977 KPH) speed. One of the main functions of the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds is to safely determine all aspects of a vehicle’s performance capabilities while determining the accuracy of the manufacturer’s claims.
Last but not least, please subscribe to the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds YouTube channel as we
continue to perform more testing with some of your favorite vehicles.
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