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.
RIP
ReplyDeleteIt 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.
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