by Bob Walsh
I am a fan of several of the automotive shows on the magic talking box. I used to really like Top Gear, the Limey one, before the "personnel change."
I also liked some of the fix it - upgrade it -tweak it automotive shows. Among the personalities on such shows was Jessi Combs, 36, a very talented (and attractive, it doesn't hurt) young lady who could design, fabricate and do mechanicals.
In any event Ms. Combs died yesterday in a high-speed one car wreck while trying to break her own personal best land speed record on the Alvord Desert, a dry lake bed in Oregon. Her old record of 398 mph was set back in 2013. She had driven the jet-powered car last year at 483 mph in a non-record eligible shakedown run. To be official the run has to be made twice, once in each direction, within a limited period of time. Mechanical problems shut down her second run that day.
She had set a number of records and racked up several noteworthy accomplishments, including being the first woman to compete in the Race of Gentlemen, driving a Model -T fitted with two engines.
Her goal was to break the official women's land speed record, currently 512 mph held by Kitty O'Neal, set back in 1976.
2 comments:
RIP
It is unfortunate but when you wreck at 500 mph a crash helmet, harness and fire suit will not necessarily protect you. The land speed cars are wild. You are basically tearing along like a bat out of hell on a skateboard with your ass on fire. Maybe a lot of fun, but dangerous as hell.
Post a Comment