Not So Fast: Jesse James' hydrogen speed "record" challenged
Did Jesse James really pilot a hydrogen-fueled vehicle faster than anyone else ever has in history? Possibly. Did he set a world record as claimed in doing so? Not so fast says noted world landspeed historian Louise Ann Noeth. It seems that Jesse's run wasn't quite up the the standards of a proper world record undertaking. Says Noeth:
The claim is without merit since the activities were conducted without benefit of any motorsports sanctioning authority. The vehicle was neither inspected, nor certified and all the timing personnel were on the James TV payroll. World speed records require two runs over a one-mile course within one hour. James was 5,148 feet short -- being timed one-way for a total of 132 feet; he made only three or four passes over an eight to ten-hour period. Any world record holder will tell you it's quite a technical feat to hold speed for a full mile.Ouch. When given the opportunity to explain the apparent discrepancies between his so-called record run and the actual official record-holding BMW HR2, Louise says "James responded with a short crude retort that reminded her that vulgarity is indeed the refuge of a destitute mind." In conclusion, she adds:
Mr. James efforts count for absolutely nothing on the world motorsports stage and amount to little more than a self-promoting "TV racer" PR stunt since he chose to ignore the sport's sanctioning rules that have applied to all records certified for the past 80 years.Click past the break for more from the official press release.
[Source: Landspeed Louise]
PRESS RELEASE:
TV's Jesse James Fraudulantly Claims Hydrogen-Powered World Speed Record, Says 'Landspeed Louise'
CREVE COEUR, MO - June 23, 2009: Noted automotive journalist and world landspeed historian Louise Ann Noeth has challenged television motorcycle guy Jesse James to a duel over his claim to have set a new world landspeed record.
According to a press release from Ms. Noeth and her company, Landspeed Productions, Jesse James claims he set the world record for hydrogen-powered vehicles on June 16th on the southern California El Mirage dry lake.
However, the press release states, "The claim is without merit since the activities were conducted without benefit of any motorsports sanctioning authority. The vehicle was neither inspected, nor certified and all the timing personnel were on the James TV payroll."
Louise Ann Noeth, known affectionately as LandSpeed Louise, is a veteran of several world landspeed record campaigns (some successful, some not). Her knowledge of the history, regulations and personalities involved in the efforts is nearly legendary.
"World speed records require two runs over a one-mile course within one hour. James was 5,148 feet short -- being timed one-way for a total of 132 feet; he made only three or four passes over an eight to ten-hour period. Any world record holder will tell you it's quite a technical feat to hold speed for a full mile," wrote Louise.
The baseless speed stunt was reportedly for the season-ending episode of James's TV show, Jesse James is a Dead Man. The episode is set to air in early August.
Louise adds, "James claims to have bested the FIA ratified BMW HR2 record of 185 mph. The BMW HR2 race car set 9 international and FIA-ratified land-speed records for hydrogen cars at the Miramas Proving Grounds in France. The BMW HR2 is one of the few hydrogen cars developed with internal combustion engine (ICE) technology instead of fuel cell technology. Mr. James efforts count for absolutely nothing on the world motorsports stage and amount to little more than a self-promoting "TV racer" PR stunt since he chose to ignore the sport's sanctioning rules that have applied to all records certified for the past 80 years."
Louise also reported that when contacted to explain the fraudulent claim, James responded with a short crude retort that reminded her that vulgarity is indeed the refuge of a destitute mind.
For more information about Landspeed Louise visit www.landspeedproductions.biz
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Paul 9:02AM (6/24/2009)
boo freakin hoo.
Record? Probably not, but you dont have to get all self righteous about it.
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PJ 11:25AM (6/24/2009)
When someone *claims* they've set a Guinness world record, uh, yeah... you do.
Did you miss the part about James announcing to the world that he was the new record holder?
Paul 11:29AM (6/24/2009)
And who cares? I can announce all day long that I am the new owner of Autoblog but that doesn't make it so and I don't think AOL would need to take the time to set it straight.
In a year, someone looking for this will Google it and the Guinness results will come up if people bitch and moan or not.
He is an entertainer, get over it.
PJ 4:06AM (6/28/2009)
Try buying 30 minutes of airtime on a national television network to have a celebrity mouthpiece make that claim, and I think you'll find AOL taking considerably more interest in it.
ChuckB 9:10AM (6/24/2009)
Those who can, do. Those who can't, keep records.
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DCragtop 9:15AM (6/24/2009)
It's Jesse James biach!
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Polly Prissy Pants 9:17AM (6/24/2009)
You either follow the rules or you don't, and if you don't then don't be a d-bag when someone calls you on it.
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Redeemed 9:40AM (6/24/2009)
"James responded with a short crude retort that reminded her that vulgarity is indeed the refuge of a destitute mind"
Louise Ann Noeth is a proven professional in the speed world and James is way out of line.
There are reasons for standards so everyone is on the same page and competing by the same rules. If James really wanted to be in the record books than he should have done his homework and checked into getting the speed run sanctioned.
He has nobody to blame but himself if the record is disallowed and his thug behavior won't change anything.
Redline 10:24AM (6/24/2009)
He came off this incident looking only like an idiot.
Human Powered 12:29PM (6/24/2009)
@ Redline, yup, of course he pretty much always looks like an idiot. A destitute mind indeed.
Keith 12:39PM (6/24/2009)
"James responded with a short crude retort that reminded her that vulgarity is indeed the refuge of a destitute mind"
Made me laugh.
Shawn 9:24AM (6/24/2009)
Of course nothing on reality tv is real. Jesse stopped being real a long time ago.
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Joe K. 9:25AM (6/24/2009)
Meh... Has anyone checked to see if she is on the payroll? Maybe she's involved in a plot to drum up controversy, just so they can do the same stunt again, but now with 5 more viewers, bringing them to a total of 16 car journalists and 2 people waiting to see if he'll ever to a show as good as the first season of monster garage.
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Tim 9:29AM (6/24/2009)
I can't understand why he wouldn't run the full 1 mile; it would increase his chances of going out in a blaze of glory, which seems to be his ultimate goal.
I'd pay to watch that douchebag eat dirt.
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TigerMil 5:10PM (6/24/2009)
Might not have had enough fuel to power the car at speed over the entire mile.
Do the math....lotsa hydrogen required!
kal326 9:31AM (6/24/2009)
Somebody call Guinness, I think we are about to set a world record of how many people don't care that the record is official.
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akboss302 10:11AM (6/24/2009)
Ha ha! Awesome...
Patliean1 9:39AM (6/24/2009)
I live less than 10 minutes from there, too bad I drive a Hond : (
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CB 9:42AM (6/24/2009)
Jesse James is self righteous assclown.
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Protzenegger 10:08AM (6/24/2009)
I never liked him much anyway. This is almost like vengeance.