The previous record holder, the hydrogen-fueled BMW H2R, powered by a 6.0-liter V-12 engine, which generates 232 horsepower, helping it to achieve a top speed of over 185 mph.
Before going to El Mirage Dry Lake Bed, Jesse James prepared for this challenge for months, including asking for help from the land speed racer Mike Cook. Mike advised Jesse on the design of the car and even went with him in the testing phase.
Engine builder Kurt Urban also came from Detroit to help Jesse. Altogether, they developed an emission free vehicle, with a ‘Breathable Exhaust’. According to a release, Jesse even had a worse case scenario situation by escaping from a burning fuselage, narrowly avoiding injury.
After all these preparations, Jesse took the Streamliner into the Mojave Desert and shattered the land speed record for a hydrogen powered vehicle, by hitting 199.7 mph.
Besides being Sandra Bullock’s husband and a television host, Jesse James is also a custom bike and car builder, and restaurateur, CEO of West Coast Choppers. Before hosting the ‘Jesse James is a Dead Man’, Jesse hosted Motorcycle Mania and the former series Monster Garage on the Discovery Channel.
James even established his own production company, Payupsucker Productions and soon after, he launched Payupsucker Publications. In 2006 he opened an eco-friendly burger joint, Cisco Burger, in Long Beach, California.
West Coast Choppers is also sponsoring race teams in Top Fuel Drags and Super Late Model NASCAR. James recently bought custom car business Austin Speed Shop and has expanded into the custom car business. He has also built and is racing an off-road Trophy Truck and a Figure-8 race car.
Google News