Quite so - they discovered that a pushover into teh course for teh
records didn't make any difference - the drag increase was so great
that it just didn't matter. We weren't teh only ones to use this -
The Brits made a record attempt with a slightly modified Hunter over
the Dead Sea. IIRC. That would be the only Speed Record set below Sea
Level.

Actually, pushovers not allowed. The aircraft was prohibited from exceeding
300 meters altitude for the duration of the flight and had to be at 100
meters or less for the 4 passes on the 3-5 km course. Salton Sea is
slightly below sea level if my sources are correct.

R / John