Famous aviator Steve Fossett has announced plans to pick up Craig Breedlove's aborted efforts to break Thrust SSC's Land Speed Record.Fossett, who holds around-the-world records for sailing and solo flights, is to use a modified version of Spirit of America 3, the car Breedlove hoped would take him beyond Andy Green's 763mph benchmark before an accident and mechanical problems intervened. The car is 47 feet long and uses a Phantom fighter-bomber engine producing over 45000bhp - just as well, given that Fossett's team is aiming not only to crack the speed of sound, but 800mph. The assault on the record will take place next year and will be based in Reno, Nevada, with attempts held on a dry lake bed in the nearby desert.
"This is surely the most dramatic of all world records," said Fossett, who has raced 200mph sports prototypes at Daytona and Le Mans. "It's the most famous record in world motorsport, with a fabulous history of great record holders. I'm very excited by the opportunity to meet this challenge.
"Why do I want to break the record? Think of the great names of the past - Campbell, Breedlove, Alfons, Noble. Think of magic milestones like 300mph, 400mph, 500mph, 600mph and the first supersonic record set nine years ago. Every car-crazy kid - and adult - knows this history. My objective is to push this record to 800mph and beyond. It's a great goal, and we have the car to achieve it."
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