Originally Posted by billt460
Originally Posted by DoubleWasp
....But when I look at Thrust SSC, the Breedlove cars, and then look at a jet with wheels stuck on it, I can't help but think that there is a lot more that goes into cracking the sound barrier on the ground than they had assumed. Throughout the entire video, I don't see anyone mention having a wealth of experience building land speed cars of that velocity either.
That's the part that bothers me. This was a nice gal who was enjoying a reasonably good degree of financial and social success. And in all likelihood still had half or more of her life in front of her. To have risked it and lost it in such a feeble contraption, seems pointless. She took the risk only because it was offered to her.
And I'm sorry, but I can't wrap my head around this ridiculous concept of, "dying doing what she loved" nonsense. I love to do a lot of things. It's not going to make me, or anyone else feel better or more poignant if I die while I'm doing them. That's just nuts.
Doing things like trying to set land speed records are inherently very dangerous, and involve a certain amount of risk. But there are ways to minimize that danger and risk through sound engineering, design, and safety principals. Much like Breedlove and the Thrust SSC Team have demonstrated through the years, and all but countless attempts.
Breedlove is now old enough to be enjoying a head full of grey hair. Taking his time in researching, designing, and building his land speed vehicles, with the utmost safety he could possibly incorporate into them, is no doubt a big part of the reason why he's still walking around today...... And not in a grave because he, "died doing what he loved".
This whole thing came across as a kind of, "let's roll the dice and go for it", staged, foolish drama. It sadly didn't work out. If anything good can be said about this accident, it's the fact the vehicle no longer exists. And It's extremely doubtful it will ever be rebuilt. So at least it can't claim any more lives. Not that land speed records won't in the future. But at least they won't be in a jury rigged contraption like that thing. That you needed to drink 3 Martini's before it even looked possible.