Steve Fossett will attempt to break world speed record
Last Wednesday, during an event to promote his new book "Chasing the Wind," Steve Fossett announced his plans to break the world speed record of 763 MPH.The record attempt will take place sometime next year in the flatlands of Nevada, with Fossett behind the wheel of a 47-foot-long, 9,000-pound, jet-powered vehicle that produces over 45,000 HP. The engine will be sourced from an F-4 Phantom fighter, used by the U.S. Air Force.
Mr. Fossett is best known for his 116 world record-breaking feats, of which 76 stand to this day. Past forms of motivation include airplanes, balloons, gliders, sailboats and dog sleds.
[Source: International Herald Tribune]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hannibal Lecter 11:22AM (10/22/2006)
he must have a death wish. If he's so fricken bored, why doesn't he give me a few hundered thousand of his wealth and i'll entertain him by making him some nice fava beans with a dry chianti.
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Dan 11:47AM (10/22/2006)
Noting the Virgin patch on his suit, is this any connection to last week's Onion article?
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MacroEQ 12:16PM (10/22/2006)
I hope he goes for the record, doesn't beat it and then gives up. I want the record to remain British.
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Johnny B 12:25PM (10/22/2006)
Hey Andy, if you want to be the correctness police then get it right to begin with...It's called a "R.A.T.O." (for Rocket-Assisted Take Off). I know that some call it a JATO, but that is an incorrect description of what the unit is...
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W L Simpson 12:54PM (10/22/2006)
not everyone can afford to massage their ego in such a grand manner
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Thunder 1:23PM (10/22/2006)
For those of you criticizing Fosset ask yourself why you're jealous. This guy is a great example of living life and you bash him. Why?
As for beating records... Records inspire others to do more and be better no matter who currently holds them. If he sets a new record then that will give you a new goal to go after yourself, and what's wrong with being better?
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Steve 5:05PM (10/22/2006)
This guy needs a life ...Who cares what he does... Go work in a soup kitchen or help our War vetrans that need support, legs, arms, eyes well you get the point. With all of his wealth he throws it on his ego, and I dont care what he gives to charity this is just a waste of time ... please go away....
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Eric L. 10:29PM (10/22/2006)
This is insulting to Top Gear's Richard Hammond.
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Eric L. 10:36PM (10/22/2006)
Doh, didn't read - world speed record.
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Mike 2:29AM (10/23/2006)
I don't get all excited by jet-engined cars. It's no longer "can we make this car go faster?" but more like "how fast can we go in this airplane without taking off or doing a somersault?". There are separate records for cars where the wheels are driven vs thrust driven where the wheels just keep the car off the ground though.
At this point with the jet cars, might as well just leave the engine in the F-4 and taxi as fast as you can without taking off.
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Martin 4:28AM (10/24/2006)
I wonder how many records he sets with sexy women?
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tim 1:41PM (10/27/2006)
whats the big deal with setting records
rember most people that are mega rich and have money do not spend it on the poor they blow it
besids the only speed records i care about are the ones set by wheel driven cars AND WITH CARS THAT HAVE A INTERNAL COMBUSTIEN ENGINE
Al Teage 436mph with one hemi engine
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