Jalopnik: jet

Popular Science Builds Insane Jet Turbine-Powered ATV

Wes Siler — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EDT

60 MPH, 114 dB, 1300 degrees, 150,000 RPM. We probably wouldn't be crazy enough to put a jet turbine in a side-by-side, but we know we definitely wouldn't take it for a test run through Philly. [PopularScience]

Caption This: F/A-18 Hornet Flyby Edition

The Auto Insider — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:30:00 EDT

A Navy F/A-18 Hornet buzzes past GM's Renaissance Center world headquarters last year on its way along the Detroit River to wow the thousands of spectators attending the Red Bull Air Race.

A picture is worth a thousand words and we look to you, the all-knowing, witty commentariat of the Jalopnisphere to provide those words. Can you provide the caption to this photo that'll wow your peers and make the stone-faced Jalopnik editors crack a smile? Image Credit: Flickr

2008 Cobra Jet Mustang Brings The Noise At SEMA

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:50:00 EST

In addition to the Raptor pickup, Ford will be unveiling its latest purpose-built drag racer, the 2008 Mustang Cobra Jet. The Cobra Jet, also known as the FR500CJ, is an attempt by the Dearborn, MI-based automaker to expand its offerings of racing pony cars. The Cobra Jet gets a beefed up 5.4-liter V8 with a cold air intake, A/C delete, 9-inch rear end, a six speed manual or three speed auto, a roll hoop and a specialized suspension. While no horsepower figure is given yet, Ford is calling it a car any drag racer can get in and immediately be able to compete with ten second cars. Not too bad for a factory racer, sounds like it'll do the Cobra Jet name justice. Details in the press release below.

COBRA JET THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE MUSTANG FR500 SERIES OF RACE CARS FROM FORD RACING

DEARBORN, Mich, Nov. 4, 2008 – With the addition of the 2008 Cobra Jet Mustang, Ford Racing will have once again expanded its current stable of race-ready Mustang race cars.

This time, however, the Mustang is designed for drag racing.

The Mustang FR500CJ, known simply as the Cobra Jet, will be officially unveiled Nov. 4 at the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. It joins its road racing brethren: the Mustang FR500S, the Mustang FR500C and the Mustang FR500GT.

“The Cobra Jet is the newest offspring of the Ford Racing lineup of race cars,” said Jamie Allison, manager of the Ford Racing Performance Group. “We started with the FR500C in 2005 and then followed by the FR500S in 2007.

“All along the way, we worked with Brian Wolfe, who, at the time, was really in the calibration activity. He oversaw worldwide calibrations, and he was a big supporter of Ford Racing, both professionally and personally,” Allison said. “He had always kind of asked us about our plans to do a drag race car and the time had just come early this year to, indeed, take all of the lessons we learned, all the processes, all of the relationships that we have inside with the plant and with the team and put together a sportsmen-destined drag race Mustang. Clearly, what we did in 1968 is the impetus for it, and we felt that it was time to bring back the Cobra Jet.”

The Cobra Jet is the drag racing equivalent of the Mustang FR500S, allowing those interested in NHRA sportsmen drag racing the opportunity to get involved with an affordable vehicle that can compete right off of the truck and run in the 10-second range.

“We are talking about designing and building competition-ready race cars,” added Allison. “These are not just the simple parts that we sometimes create. This is a full-fledged, ready to race vehicle. There is a lot of engineering that goes into the preparation, development, testing, and release of these cars. There’s a full team of engineers from Ford Racing who have been involved on the engineering side of the Ford Racing Mustangs, led by Andy Slankard who leads the group. On the Cobra Jet, that group was personally directed and overseen by Brian Wolfe because of his personal background of racing in the sportsmen class. So he’s been hands-on involved in the very specifications of the 40th anniversary Cobra Jet. ”

In addition to the Cobra Jet, the other Ford Racing Mustangs provide customers a racing ladder, all within one manufacturer, to climb up through the ranks of professional racing. The Ford Racing Mustang ladder in road racing begins with the Ford Racing High Performance Driving School at Miller Motorsports Park featuring specially prepared school Mustangs.

The next step on the ladder is the Mustang FR500S, which is delivered as a race-ready vehicle complete with a racing seat and safety harnesses, and provides competitors with a base to hone their driving skills and an exciting year-long schedule to race against other semi-pro drivers in the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup.

Moving further up the ladder puts racers behind the wheel of the Mustang FR500C, which competes in the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series, and the FR500GT4, which competes in the GT4 European Cup. Both Mustangs are proven winners with each car having won championships in its first year of competition. The FR500C led drivers to championships in 2005 and 2008, while the FR500GT4 has won two titles in the GT4 European Cup in 2007 and 2008.

At the top of the ladder sit both the Mustang FR500GT and FR500GT3, which represent the ultimate race-bred road racing Mustang. The FR500GT is being homologated for Grand-Am Rolex GT and other applications, while the FR500GT3 has already competed in select FIA GT3 European Championship races.

Customers or competitors looking for more information on how to get behind the wheel of their own Cobra Jet Mustang should visit www.fordracingparts.com.

FORD RACING COBRA JET MUSTANG
The Legend Continues
(M-FR500-CJ)

In 1968, Ford took the NHRA Winternationals by storm with the Cobra Jet Mustang. Only 50 factory lightweights were built, and in its first appearance, the Cobra Jet won. Forty years after this historic event, Ford Racing is happy to announce that the legend continues with a new NHRA-legal race car – the 2008 Cobra Jet Mustang!

The 2008 Ford Racing Cobra Jet (FR500CJ) is a factory-built race car (serialized but no VIN), ready for the drag strip with only minor additional prep required. It is available for order from any Ford dealer as a Ford Racing part. Following are key Ford Racing components to help define this exciting new race car:

Functional

* 5.4 Cobra Jet engine
* Cobra Jet cold air kit
* Throttle body
* A/C deleted
* Crankshaft damper
* Cobra Jet bell housing
* 6-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission with SFI bell housing
* Stainless steel long-tube racing headers
* 9" rear axle assembly
* One piece driveshaft drive shaft
* Single hoop drive shaft loop
* Cobra Jet rear control arms and anti-roll bar
* Ford Racing adjustable dampers
* Drag race spring kit
* Cobra Jet wheels — 15" x 4" (front), 15" x 10" (rear)

Exterior

* Painted Cobra Jet body in white
* Cobra Jet hood scoop
* Cobra Jet Lexan backlight
* Flush quarter window louvers

Interior

* 5" pedestal tachometer
* SVT Mustang short-throw shifter with black shift knob and handle
* Cobra Jet seat package

Visit www.fordracingparts.com for more information.

[Source: Ford]

Jet-Powered Daihatsu Hi-Jet Pickup Up For Bids

Mark Arnold — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:20:00 EDT

The Daihatsu Hi-Jet pickup truck is a neat little runabout for hauling whatever you want in the back...like a jet engine. That's right, it's a Hi-Jet propelled by a Rolls-Royce jet engine. It's even street-legal...so long as you're cruising down the highway under the power of the standard Daihatsu drivetrain, with the turbine off. What's better, it can be yours for just over $10,000, as it's up for sale on Ebay Make the jump to check it out in action. [ebay, jetpower.co.uk]

Desert Runs In A Turbine-Powered Datsun 280Z

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:45:00 EDT

While the turbine-powered Porsche 928 we found on eBay was admittedly pretty neat (and ended up selling for a measly $7,150), the accompanying video didn't really prove the car's kerosene-guzzling potential to us. Not so with this turbine-enhanced Datsun 280Z. This baby proves its mettle with Knight Rider-esque high-speed desert runs. Over and over again. Aside from the repetitive cinematography, we do get a glimpse of some rad digital gauges straight out of the turbo-boost era along with a glorious turbine symphony. Mmmmmm, high RPM goodness. [Youtube]

Bell Jet Ranger-Powered Dax Rush

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:00:00 EDT

Jet. Powered. Se7en. The Dax Rush is a pretty well respected kit se7en to begin with, but somebody has gone and built an homage to mad-scientist manliness with a Bell Jet Ranger powered Dax Rush. We're reminded of the Home Improvement episode where our hero straps the same motor into his riding lawnmower to comedic effect and we can only imagine what this thing can do on the street.

Sure the power band is shaped funny, the in-cabin heat probably leaves you with extra crispy legs, and your friends complain about the melted paint on their minivans, but we would not care. Jet powered se7en. Totally flippin' awesome. [madabout-kitcars.com - you sure are]

New York Central's M-497 Jet Powered Train

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:15:00 EST

We have no idea how this didn't pop up when researching France's Aérotrain but during the 1960's, New York Central was up to its own gee-whiz tricks in the form of the M-497 experimental. Searching for ways to attract passengers in the post-freeway era of dwindling train ridership, Central was investing in several projects, including high speed rail. One of the questions that hung over the prospect was the whether or not the existing rails could handle high speeds. To answer that question, they built a high speed train - on the cheap.

The build came in the form of a US Air Force surplus General Electric J47-19 jet engines in a B36-H bomber engine pod planted on the roof of a modified Budd commuter car with a custom made, fitted cowling. On a high speed test run between in 1966 between Butler, IN and Stryker, OH, the M-497 reached a top speed of 183.681 mph - still the current high speed record for light rail in the United States. With the rails proven capable of high speed transit, the experimental was dismantled and the M497 returned to civilian duty as an NYC commuter car, running the route between Poughkeepsie and Harmon for Metro North where it live until its sale to Conrail in May 1976. In an undignified end, the car was cannibalized for parts in Dec. 1977 and scrapped by Metro-North in 1984. We can't help but think the fate of this historical car draws a certain parallel to the past and future history of rail travel in the United States. {read more at American Heritage]

Honda Goldwing Jet Mod Can Fly, Maybe...

Travis Hudson — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:45:00 EST

Don't let this slow-speaking man confuse you. He did the impossible and turned a Honda Goldwing, which was previously only a good towing machine, into a freaking fighter jet. The video may be a little long and drawn out, but near the end the inventor lets us into a little secret: he thinks it can fly. He says if you take it up to 80 or 85 on the highway and get in a sticky situation steering, it can get airborne.

The purpose of the patriotic Honda Goldwing jet fighter is to supposedly inspire community service. Sorry, but after seeing this I want to go buy a Goldwing, not volunteer at the animal shelter. [GeekAlerts]

Bugatti Veyron vs. RAF EuroFighter

bwojdyla — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST

Bugatti Veyron - check. Shiny new Eurofighter - check. Empty airstrip - check. Sounds like the wishlist of every nine year old in the world but Top Gear put the Hamster up to the task of doing a down and back drag race against the RAF's finest. This is simply amazing in its audacity. We're not going to spill the beans on the finish, but we think the pilot was holding back a bit. Next up, Caparo T1 v. Saturn V rocket.

But Will it Fly? X-Wing Fighter Madness in the Desert

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 15:55:31 EDT

If you don't have a girlfriend, you know it as the Incom T-65. Else, it's the X-Wing Starfighter, pride of the Rebel Alliance's strike fleet. Here's the backstory. A gang of aerospace hobbyists created a workable model of the X-Wing out of plywood, fiberglassed foam and whatnot. Then they hooked it up with booster rockets and RC gear, and hauled it out the desert, where they proceeded to send it on its maiden voyage. You have no idea how hard it is not to give away the ending. [Gizmodo]

Calling All Hoons! Cheap Jet Engine Alert!

Murilee Martin — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:00:00 EDT

You've made all sorts of jokes about Impalas with JATO power assist and so on, and maybe you've even jumped a Sprint. But what would you do with a real jet engine for your next project? 5000 frogskins and this fine General Electric J47 can be all yours! The J47 powered the B-47, F-86... and now your car! The seller is pretty stern about the "As Is" part, but it turns over- hell, a few twists of the wrench and it'll probably fire right up! [Craigslist]
You want to vote on possible recipients for this motor? Sure you do! Jump like a Toyopet on afterburner for the poll!

eBay Find: Sweet Firey Geronimo! Jet Powered Go Kart!

bwojdyla — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 11:45:00 EST

I'm wondering if you can hear that. That funny noise? Yeah, that's me foaming at the mouth from whatever distance it is from you to Detroit. Are you freakin' SERIOUS? Jet powered go kart?! Phew... Phew.... let me take a little breather here. Okay there, now that the blood is returning to my brain, this little number is pretty slick and I'll tell you why. Any Joe Blow can stretch a go kart body and slap a snazzy engine on it, but it takes an artist to built an engine like this. Everyone knows turbos are really great at adding power to anything that makes your heart skip a beat, but did you also know that turbos can be retooled to act as jet engines? Indeed it's true. If you consider ...

...that a jet engine is essentially an open pipe with an intake, compressor, constant injection system, ignition system, and an exhaust system. The magic is that the compressor is powered by the exhaust gasses of compression, which also serve as the thrust. Now that this is established, it's not a long hop to get from turbo to jet engine. If one were to accidentally connect the outlet of the compressor to the intake of the impeller, then connect an injector and spark plug at the right places (along with an oil system) you have the makings of a jet engine. To mount to your go kart. Then you laugh maniacally. Mmmm. Do I really care if the nozzle geometry and aerodynamic routing severely impede the power production? No. Not at all. –Ben Wojdyla

Go Kart Turbine Engine [eBay]

Related:
Fire-Breathing Gas Turbine Jet Kart! [internal]

Jet MR2 Returns to eBay

Davey G. Johnson — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 13:30:00 EST

A year and a half ago, we noticed an odditiy on eBay: a twin- GE T-58 jet-powered Toyota MR2. At the time, the owner noted that he thought the only thing keeping the car from street legality was noise. We're not sure if this is the same seller or not, but this time around the listing just says "Ready to race!" Interestingly the seller also claims that it's the only twin-engined jet car in the world. Right, because Thrust SSC had like six-hundred forty-three engines. [Thanks to Haller for the tip.] – Davey G. Johnson

World's Only Jet Car With Twin Jet Engines [eBay]

Related:
Jet-Powered Toyota MR2 For Sale on eBay [Internal]

Fire-Breathing Gas Turbine Jet Kart!

Mike Bumbeck — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 15:28:05 EST

From the gas turbine engine in a wicked small car department comes the Jet Kart. This speedy runner sprang from the collective brain trust of Chy Wright and Henry Donald of sunny Yorkshire, England. Seems the fellas saw an advert for this small turbine, originally used to start the full-size engine on a F4 Phantom fighter jet, and thought putting one in a kart was a bang-up idea. The boys proceeded to cook a few turbines in testing before they mounted one of the 60,000 rpm turbine units into the kart and took it out to a runway for some SUPER JET-POWERED AMUSEMENT! The body is specially designed to create downforce and add stability, as the Jet Kart is not at all intended to be a flying car.

Home of the Racing Kart Fitted with a Gas Turbine Engine [JetKart.co.uk]

Richard Hammond's Path of Destruction

Davey G. Johnson — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 20:15:00 EDT

The Times, which has a more highly-staffed graphics department than your lowly Jalops, pieced together a graphic illustrating the Hamster's fateful trip down the runway at Elvington Airfield in the Vampire. From everything we know, Hammond didn't crest 300mph, although the Times claims he was "reaching speeds of up to 300mph." Also of note, the Vampire's Rolls-Royce Orpheus engine consumes 7-10 gallons per mile. That's a fair bit of JP-8.

Graphic: Hammond's high-speed crash [Times, UK]

Walt & Art Arfons: Jet Car Pioneers

Davey G. Johnson — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 21:30:00 EDT

For those readers who don't follow the rather esoteric sport of land speed racing beyond Andy Green's speed-of-sound blast or the Beach Boys' ode to Craig Breedlove; who've never gone down to a local dragstrip just to see exhibition runs by jet dragsters after sitting through a bunch of ten-second Sportsman cars, Richard Hammond's accident may have been a bit of a head-scratcher. As in, "What kind of hoon would build such a machine?"

There were two hoons who started it all. They were brothers from Ohio, and their names are Walt and Art Arfons. Although Art is the more famous of the two, his brother was actually the first to build a jet dragster. Awash in WWII and Cold War surplus aircraft parts, the two first built an Allison V-12-engined car and then moved on to jets.

Walt was the first guy to run a parachute for braking; he and Art as a team were the first drag racers above 150 in the quarter. And at some point (and we don't know any more about this than what we're writing), Art decided that he'd stick pontoons on one of his Green Monster LSR jet cars and attempt to set a speed record on water.

Walt Arfons; Art Arfons [Wikipedia]

Related:
A Gallery of Jet Cars [The Rocketman]; Breaking! Top Gear Presenter Richard Hammond in Car Crash [Internal]

Jet-Powered Beetle's Garage Mate: The Jet Scooter

Mike Spinelli — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 08:37:22 EDT

You remember Ron Patrick, don't you? He's the guy who built the jet-powered New Beetle whose blue-white afterburner flame's graced the pages of countless mags, lo these past several months. He's not done. We'll let Mr. Patrick describe his latest thrusty venture:

Here's my wife's Honda Metropolitan scooter. She wants it to go faster than 40 mph. So I have these two little JFS 100 jet engines and I am thinking how to put them on the scooter. Engines are 50 lbm each so weight is an issue. Will probably use air-start with a carbon fiber tank of compressed air. That saves weight since batteries will then not be needed.
Will want to make aluminum housings to go over the engines just like on a DC-9.

Oh, that sounds like a fine idea. Will there be drink service aboard this flight? [Thanks to Bill for the tip.]

More at Ron Patrick's Stuff (scroll down)

Not Unbeatable? Audi R10 Loses to Harrier Jump-Jet

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 10:06:15 EDT

It may have a reputation of being unbeatable — having aced the 24 heure du mons this year — but a Harrier jump-jet made quick work of the diesel-powered Audi R10, yesterday. On an RAF base in blighty, Scotsman Allan McNish, piloting the R10, demonstrated the R10 greater thrust off the line, beating the jet to 150 mph. But the stinkbomb couldn't hold its lead; the Harrier arrived at the one-kilometer mark a tenth of a second quicker. Still, it's hella bragging rights for Audi, which may have done more to change diesel's image than "BJ and the Bear." Google it, kids.

Jet fighter beats diesel Audi... [Classic Driver]

Related:
More on the Audi R10 racer [internal]

The Wave of the Future: Jet Propulsion

Davey G. Johnson — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 17:30:00 EDT

In an age where everyone's focused on hybrid this and synergy that, it's often helpful in these stifling times of legalese and code-cracking to remember that men once built baffling machines with nothing more than a slide rule, a pocket protector, and a few simple tools. Well step back, children, because we've got something for you that'll make other Go-Ped type devices look paltry by comparision. Strap a couple of pulsejets on a minimalist scooter and make the other kids jealous with envy. Yes, we're geeking over JetZILLA, The Online Magazine of Amateur Jet Propulsion. Immerse yourselves, and then go forth and make crazy shit.

JetZILLA

Related:
Build Your Own Buzz-Bomb Dragster! [Internal]

Land Speed Record Record...Recorded

Davey G. Johnson — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 20:30:00 EDT

Our historian-of-all-things-freakishly-fast pal Cole Coonce kicked down a link earlier today regarding the reissue of a record of Craig Breedlove's attempt to break the Land Speed Record. To get even more meta((l) circus) with the refs, H sker D 's SST labelmates the Descendents recorded a cover of "Wendy" by the Beach Boys, who of course wrote "Spirit of America" about Breedlove's LSR attempts. Meanwhile, Cole provides an excerpt from his book Infinity Over Zero; a transcript of a recording of Breedlove's famous 500mph run that ended up with the Spirit of America in a pond, made by Jim Economides and USAC timer Jim Petrall from a test-pressing of an unreleased 12" entitled Breedlove 500+. Click through for the '60s-style manliness. "Who do you think you are? Cobb or somebody?"

USAC Official: He's on his way... he's standing on it... they say he's really standing on it now... nice and straight... he's really rolling... into the mile...

VOICE: I see a smoke trail.

USAC: ... something fell off of the car... that must be the chute... wait a minute, something fell off of the back of the car... he lost his chute...

VOICE: I hope it was his chute...

USAC: ... he lost his chute...

VOICE: Before he hit the trap or after?

USAC: He didn't say it's out ... I see him coming... he's really coming along, he's really pouring it on... here he comes...

VOICE: ... heads up....

USAC: He's approaching the finishing line ... he's past the finishing line...
VOICE: ... he's got no chute... (pppphhhhhweeeeeeeeWHHHHHAAAAAAAHHHHHHH.....)

VOICE: ... OOHH!!!

(trucks and support vehicles roll, horns honk, general commotion
as reporters dictate to machines)

VOICE: ... what a thrill for the people...

VOICE: He's in the water...

USAC: He's in the water...

VOICE: He's in the water...
USAC: Better roll the ambulance down here... roll the ambulance... I'll roll down there... okay... I'll roll ...

(tape rolls out)

*****

BREEDLOVE: (deep breaths and laughter) Unnnhhhh, hunnhhh...

VOICE: Suppose you'll get a water speed record on that too?

BREEDLOVE: I think so.

VOICE: Who do you think you are? Cobb or somebody?

BREEDLOVE: What a ride! Uhh hnnnuhhh... "FOR MY NEXT TRICK!"
(laughter)

(more laughter)

VOICE: (unintelligible overlapping dialogue)

BREEDLOVE: "I'll set myself... a-fire... "

VOICE: ... son of a bitch...

BREEDLOVE: I went over the top of that 10 mile light. Did I break it? Did I break the record?

VOICE: Yeah...

BREEDLOVE: Okay.

VOICE: We didn't wait to see...

VOICE: You went right over the top of it...

BREEDLOVE: If Petrali missed the time on that, boy, he's out of business.
(laughter)

BREEDLOVE: I'm not doing it again!

(laughter)

VOICE: Jeez-us

VOICE: Look out now...

(shutters click)

VOICE: Holy Mackerel...

VOICE: See you had to swim there... That was an underwater job!

VOICE: Yeah.

VOICE: Craig that was a tremendous run, though. It looks
like you broke the record by a big margin.

BREEDLOVE: I obviously did!
(laughter)

VOICE: It can't stand another one though ...

BREEDLOVE: Hey, you did a pretty good job with that course,
old buddy...

(laughter)

VOICE: He was really steerin'. I thought you were going to go right by here and you might not make it in this water...

VOICE: I tell you that was the last we expected...

BREEDLOVE: PHHWEEEHHH!!

VOICE: ... to see of ol' Craig Breedlove...

BREEDLOVE: (off mic and distorted) Roy, you wouldn't believe it!

VOICE: I'll tell you one thing, you're spectacular, man.

(commotion)

VOICE: I wonder what the people are going to...

BREEDLOVE: (shouts) WHAT'S MY TIMES? NOBODY WAITED TO GET IT!!

VOICE: Nobody waited to get it!

BREEDLOVE: How fast did I go?

VOICE: Let's all get in this four-wheel drive...

BREEDLOVE: (shouts) HOW FAST DID I GO??

VOICE: (off mic) Nobody heard, Craig.

BREEDLOVE: Hey... Hey Bill... For my next trick I'll set myself afire! (laughs)

VOICE: Well, you did a beautiful job on the car. (laughs)

BREEDLOVE: (deep breaths) Hunnnnhhhh! Hunnnnnhhh... Did you see what I did to that telephone pole, Nye?

VOICE: Jeez-us...

BREEDLOVE: I damn near drowned... look at the racer!

VOICE: Craig, here's your dad....

(commotion, heavy breathing, more commotion, unintelligible)
VOICE: Oh my god... Oh my god...

BREEDLOVE: I'm okay, Pop.

(commotion)

BREEDLOVE: At least we went 500... (deep breaths and laughter)
unnnhhhh, hunnhhh...

(commotion)

BREEDLOVE: I damn near drowned in that thing! I couldn't get out!

(commotion, overlapping dialogue)

VOICE: You know, you should get a skin diving license. (commotion, overlapping dialogue)

BREEDLOVE: (unintelligible) ... spectacular. If Petrali missed that time he's fired!
(laughter) (film camera rolls) (commotion, overlapping dialogue)

VOICE: He's the first guy to try and set a Land Speed Record and a Water Speed Record at the same time!

BREEDLOVE: (off mic) I lost my steering at the (unintelligible) mile.

VOICE: You did?

BREEDLOVE: The brakes just burned up.

VOICE: They did?

BREEDLOVE: I put my chutes out after I cleared the mile because I lost my steering.

(commotion, overlapping dialogue) (film camera rolls)

VOICE: You put out both of them didn't you?

BREEDLOVE: Well the first chute, I pulled it, it just went to shreds. I felt it go to a ribbon. Then I hit the... I waited for a while and I tried to hit the brakes and the
brakes just wouldn't go... I was pumping the brakes and then nothing, no brakes at all. Then I hit my other chute and nothing happened. I didn't have any... I just took that...

VOICE: No steering...

BREEDLOVE: ... steering and I turned it clear around like this. It finally started...

VOICE: (interrupts) Did you see that...

BREEDLOVE: ... coming around.

VOICE: ... telephone pole that you sheared?

BREEDLOVE: Yeah, I know. I hit the pole.

VOICE: With your right fin or what?

BREEDLOVE: I just saw that pole coming and I went just like that...

VOICE: (whistles)!

BREEDLOVE: ... and then I hit the pole. I thought I had it when I hit the pole. I saw that telephone pole coming and I went "Ooohhh" and I gritted my teeth.

(laughter) (film camera rolls) (commotion, overlapping dialogue)

BREEDLOVE: (loud, over laughter) I gritted my teeth and that pole just sheared off like nothing. You know, "DOUMM" and no pole! (breathes in) UUNNHH... I looked up and I thought, "Oh Boy! Another chance!"

VOICE: (giddy laughter)

BREEDLOVE: I looked up...

VOICE: (giddy laughter)

BREEDLOVE: ... I hit the water and the water started slowing me down and I seen (sic) this big old bank coming up and I thought, "OHHH NAWWWW." (laughs)

VOICES: (giddy laughter)

BREEDLOVE: I hit the bank and it just went right over the top there. I was flying through there about thirty feet in the air and I thought, "NOW I'M GOING TO DROWN!"

VOICE: (uproarious laughter)

BREEDLOVE: I couldn't get the canopy off. I tried to get my belt done. I couldn't get my mask off and the water was filling up like that...

VOICE: ... Next run scuba gear...

BREEDLOVE: ... and I thought, "What a way to go! After all this and now I'm going to drown!"

VOICES: (uproarious laughter)

VOICE: Next run, scuba gear, baby!

(shutters click)

BREEDLOVE: (giddy laughter) I broke the racer! (giddy laughter). Everything's okay... How fast did I go, dammit? (giddy laughter) (shouts) DID WE BREAK THE RECORD?!

VOICE: (shouts) WHAT WAS THE TIME?

BREEDLOVE: (shouts) WHAT WAS THE TIME? (giddy laughter)

VOICES: (commotion, overlapping dialogue)
BREEDLOVE: (clears throat) Will somebody tell me how fast I went?
(giddy laughter)

VOICE: Hey Craig! You set a boat record!

VOICES: (giddy laughter) (commotion, overlapping dialogue)

VOICE: C'mon, let's go and (unintelligible).

BREEDLOVE: I want to find out how fast I went, man!

VOICE: Where? In the water or in the...

BREEDLOVE: Hey Al! What was it?

VOICE: 526.

VOICE: 539 for the kilo.

VOICE: 535.
(truck pulls up)

VOICE: 526 average. 535 coming back.

VOICE: (reading off time slip) Mile is 539 point eight nine. The kilo was 535 point four-oh. And the average for both ways was 526 point two eight. And the kilo was 527 point
three three.

(tape rolls out)

-30-

Infinity Over Zero [Kerosene Bomb]