September Asphalt

September Asphalt
(OK, so it isn't quite October Sky....)

We Have Ignition!!! 5.. 4.. 3.. 2.. 1..

My
radio controlled
Rocket Car
project

Who, What, Why, etc...

Q: Who's bright idea was this?
A: Mine.
Q: What is it?
A: a 1/10 semi-scale, rocket powered, radio controlled model of the Spirit of America LSR vehicle.
Q: Why did I build it?
A: It's a long story....
Q: How fast has it gone?
A: Our guestamates (based on the scientific calculation of parking spaces per second) are 50 to 70 mph depending on the engine combinations.
Q: How fast can it go?
A: Anybody know of a nice big piece of flat asphalt where I can find out?
Q: What else will it do?
A: It has an onboard video camera and transmitter to supply a realtime cockpit view.
Q: What does it look like inside?
A: Sort of like this:

though it's had a few modifications since this photo was taken.

Here's some WMV (Windows Media Video) Video clips of the car in action:
Tip: if you don't have a broadband connection, download these files before viewing for best performance
(with Internet Explorer, right click on the link then click on Save Target As)

Session 2 - Run 1 (08 sec - 629 kb)
- Two "E" class engines - simultaneous engine ignition.
Session 2 - Run 2 (12 sec - 891 kb)
- A single "F" class engine.
Session 2 - Run 3 (10 sec - 757 kb)
- A single "F" class engine.
Session 3 - Run 1 (08 sec - 623 kb)
- A single "F" class engine. Watch what happens when a wheel comes loose.
Session 3 - Run 1 Onboard (21 sec - 1,440 kb)
- View from onboard camera.
Session 3 - Run 2 (17 sec - 1,184 kb)
- A single "F" class engine.
Session 3 - Run 2 Onboard (22 sec - 1,592 kb)
- View from onboard camera.

The inspiration for this project is the Spirit of America jet powered Land Speed Record vehicle which was driven by Craig Breedlove in his 1997 attempt to break the speed of sound on land. It is currently undergoing redesign and rebuild in preparation for an attempt to break 800 mph on land sometime in the future.

Visit the Spirit of America web page

- This page is always under construction -