Land Speed Record Team Wants YOU... If You're Under 40

As a modernized "reimaged" version of the Japanese anime classic Speed Racer debuts on American movie screens, a real-life land speed record attempt appears to acknowledge the Mach 5 probably would have a hard time getting sponsors if Speed Racer had white hair.

66-year-old Ed Shadle has spent the last 10 years and $150,000 of his own money turning a boneyard jet fighter into the North American Eagle, a 42,000 horsepower jet car he hopes will retake the land speed record from the Brits.

But -- The London Sunday Times reports Ed says his age is keeping sponsors away, and he's looking for a more target-demographic-friendly driver. So...what do you need on your resume to apply? Age 20-to-40, look like a young Robert Redford, be fearless and have sharp reflexes.

The Times reports that applicants to date have included, "...two pilots and a handful of boy racers. The field is wide open."

If you're chosen for the job, you'll be chasing an 800-mile-per-hour goal, and driving a piece of aviation history. Ed says the 1957 Lockheed F-104 Starfighter on which the car is based was once flown by Chuck Yeager.

The 56-foot car runs on solid aluminum wheels, and will do zero-to-800 in 20 seconds. Too bad Binford Tools is not a real company -- what a perfect sponsor!

If you do get the job, don't get too comfortable in the seat. Shadle says once the record is back in North America, and the car is proven and sponsors secure, he's not beyond getting back behind the wheel himself to try and better the record.

"Not a problem," Shadle adds. "We’ll show those young studs this old guy can still lay down a good run."

FMI: www.landspeed.com