A jet car is a
car propelled by a
jet engine
A jet engine is a type of reaction engine discharging a fast-moving jet (fluid), jet of heated gas (usually air) that generates thrust by jet propulsion. While this broad definition can include Rocket engine, rocket, Pump-jet, water jet, and ...
. A jet dragster is a jet powered car used for
drag racing
Drag racing is a type of motor racing in which automobiles or motorcycles compete, usually two at a time, to be first to cross a set finish line. The race follows a short, straight course from a standing start over a measured distance, most ...
. They are most commonly seen at race shows.
Land speed record
Jet powered cars are commonly used for
land speed record
The land speed record (or absolute land speed record) is the highest speed achieved by a person using a vehicle on land. There is no single body for validation and regulation; in practice the Category C ("Special Vehicles") flying start regul ...
attempts, after an
FIA rule change that permitted them in 1964.
Drag racers
Some cars such as
Green Monster and
Vampire
A vampire is a mythical creature that subsists by feeding on the Vitalism, vital essence (generally in the form of blood) of the living. In European folklore, vampires are undead, undead creatures that often visited loved ones and caused mi ...
raced as dragsters (as well as also achieving or attempting land speed records).
In 2006, while filming an episode for the series
Top Gear, presenter and driver
Richard Hammond
Richard Mark Hammond (born 19 December 1969) is an English journalist, television presenter, mechanic, and writer. He is best known for co-hosting the BBC Two motoring programme '' Top Gear'' from 2002 until 2015 with Jeremy Clarkson and J ...
was critically injured in a crash with the jet dragster, Vampire, that he was piloting.
More modern jet dragsters such as Robert Albertson's "Blazing Angel" are capable of reaching over in a quarter of a mile.
Most of these modern cars are powered by the
Pratt & Whitney J60 or the
General Electric J85 jet engine.
See also
*
Aero-engined car
*
Drag racing
Drag racing is a type of motor racing in which automobiles or motorcycles compete, usually two at a time, to be first to cross a set finish line. The race follows a short, straight course from a standing start over a measured distance, most ...
*
Electric dragster
*
Jet engine
A jet engine is a type of reaction engine discharging a fast-moving jet (fluid), jet of heated gas (usually air) that generates thrust by jet propulsion. While this broad definition can include Rocket engine, rocket, Pump-jet, water jet, and ...
*
Jet Train
*
Rocket dragster
References
External links
Jet car archive
Drag racing cars
Jet cars
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