Mon, Apr 21, 2008
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."
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