They identified the remains found near his plane crash as Steve Fossett. He will be remembered fondly around Salina, Kansas after using our local college Kansas State University-Salina as the base of 2 around the world record breaking flights. He was nice to everyone here and let several students be on his ground control team. He and his wife as well as Sir Richard Branson treated the local news media very professionally too. Biggest thing that ever happened around here. Of course he set many world records in other categories too. As you know, he had recently bought Craig Breedlove's jet powered car and had it refurbished in preparation for his new land speed record attempt at over 800 mph. Not sure where that project stands. His wife may or may not go forward with his plans. Does anyone know?
I found this press release that says "Land Speed Louise" who writes a regular column in Good Guys Gazette is involved with the racing team: Marathon Racing, the parent company of Steve Fossett's World Land Speed Racing Team, today announced the appointment of our good friend "Landspeed" Louise Ann Noeth to Director of Sponsor and Media Relations. Despite the loss of their founder, the team is continuing in Steve Fossett's name to capture the Absolute Land Speed Record in excess of 800MPH. The streamlined Fossett racer is 48-feet long and is powered by a single, 40,000 HP S&S Turbine LM-1500 jet engine. Noeth ***umed responsibility for the Fossett LSR sponsor development and media relations, including television do***entary and publishing rights effective November 18, 2007. She reports to Program Manager Eric Ahlstrom. "We are very fortunate to have someone with Louise's breath of experience on the Fossett LSR team," said Program Manager Ahlstrom. "She brings a wealth of talent to our program and will help us continue Steve's vision of a small focused group of professionals like those that made all of his projects record-breakers." Noeth brings considerable experience to the team in motorsports sponsorship, journalism, photography and graphic design. She has extensively published investigative, feature and technical articles for consumer and trade publications. Her work in creating special promotions, events and collateral materials for selective client bases will be invaluable to the team. Noeth's award-winning book, "Bonneville Salt Flats," is now in its seventh printing. This work is widely recognized as land speed racing's historical reference manual. She writes a national monthly column, "Fuel For Thought," and is a consultant to film and do***entary works on land speed racing. Currently serving on the board of Directors for the Motor Press Guild, the largest automotive journalism group in the nation, she is also a member of American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters, Society of Automotive Historians and Western Automotive Journalists. A nominating and voting panel member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, she also serves as a judge for the International Automotive Media Awards. For further information call LandSpeed Productions at 805.445.8414 or media@fossettlsr.com
Sorry to hear of his demise. Was looking forward to seeing if they could have reset the record or not. Would have been nice to see the attention they would have brought to the attempt to bring the record back to the U.S.A.
looks like it's gona get interesting in the next couple of years 1000mph speed record Andy Green and Richard Noble aim to shatter previous record By Stephen Dobie 23rd October 2008 The land speed record is set to be smashed by this, the Bloodhound SSC. Andy Green OBE and Richard Noble OBE, the driver and team boss of the current speed record, will be taking the reigns once again. In 1997 they took Thrust SSC to 763mph, and will aim to crack that with three runs: an 800mph record in 2009, 900mph in 2010 and the main goal, 1000mph, by 2011. The car that should should achieve all of this is Bloodhound SSC. At the heart of its power is a Eurofighter jet engine, which is joined by an 18in rocket - the sources of power necessary to take Green from 0-1050mph in 40sec, and past the low al***ude speed record for an aircraft, which sits at c994mph. The 12.8m long, 6422kg Bloodhound will also travel quicker than a bullet fired from a handgun when at full thrust. It's not all about number-chasing, either. The Bloodhound project is intended to educate and engage 5-19 year olds, getting as many of them involved in the project as possible. The excitement surrounding the record attempt is expected to ramp up interest in careers in science and technology. The only barriers standing in the way of Green and Noble's record is the need for £10m in funding and three other compe***ors, all aiming to swipe the land speed record from Thrust SSC.
All the best to the Brits too! But I think 1,000 mph on the ground is impossible without crashing. How would you ever hold it on the road???
R.I.P. and good luck on their quest for the speed record...Steve definitely seemed to live by the words I am gonna live until I die...
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Poverty...I think something like that was said when the first double A top fueler broke 200 mph in the quarter mile...then I believe it was repeated at 300 mph... R-
RIP. He flew at least one of his Balloon missions out of the Strato Bowl up here. Was looking forward to him going after the record. At least the team is pressing on!
Sad news indeed but not unexpected. Steve embodied the true American spirit of not being bound by limits. My best wishes to his family and those who continue to achieve the goals he strived for. Frank
Where he crashed isn't the nicest place to be flying in a small plane... My dad and I almost crashed up there a couple of times in a single trip. There are lots of freak wind currents and updrafts that come off the eastern side of the Sierras... Lots of high peaks and sudden cloud banks too. RIP... Accidents can happen even to the best of them...
As I understand it; Steve took off that day to search for a possible location - in Nevada?? - that the higher speeds could be set at. Sadly something went very wrong. Now, a detail that has me curious. The SCTA (Southern California Timing ***ociation) no longer permits - or recognizes - THRUST powered vehicles to run on the Bonneville Salt flats. (not that there is enough room left - length - to accommodate the sought after speeds with the ongoing loss of the salt surface) So ... which sanctioning organization would recognize new records?
,The F.I.A. May he finally rest in peace and this will give closure for his family and friends. I've followed his exploits for years and always with a bit of WOW. Sad to not be able to do that once more.
Sad stuff, lost another older guy living the dream. Glad to hear that the racing will continue. Of course, I was kinda hoping to see Craig Breedlove's old car The Spirit of America (Fossett Bought) at a yard sale (Ha!). More power to all racers.
RIP Steve, that man was a ruler and true embodiment of the american spirit. I'm sure his team will dominate the record.
The Jalopy Journal
