The first run will be 23rd March, 2000.

          This session will allow the team preliminary testing, prior to attempting the
          World Record for Rosco. Rosco needs 22kms of good, hard dry salt to
          achieve the 1050kms needed to set a New World Record. The existing
          World record for a single engine is 1019km/h held by Englishman Richard
          Noble set at Black Rock, Nevada in 1983.

          Rosco is the holder of the Australian Land Speed Record at 802km which
          he set 27th March, 1994 in Aussie Invader 2. He was awarded the Order
          of Australia Medal for his achievement.

          On this trip we are incorporating Paula Elstrek who is aiming to set a New
          Woman's World Land Speed Record. Paula will be training and working
          with the team over the next few weeks in preparation for her attempt.

          Paula was successful in attaining her Jet License for Drag Racing through
          ANDRA (Australian National Drag Racing Association) on 10th March at
          Calder Park Raceway, VIC. Australia with a pass of 218mph. She was
          very excited to have the opportunity to be taught by Rosco, learning to
          drive Aussie Invader One Jet Dragster becoming the only Jet Licensed
          Woman in Australia. Paula is now looking forward to sitting in the seat of
          Aussie Invader 3.

          During a previous attempt Rosco's top speed in Aussie Invader 2 was
          1026km breaking the World Record on a one way pass, unfortunately the
          weather turned against him and he was unable to complete the turn
          around (which has to be within 1 hour).

          Since then it's been a battle to get the right conditions - Lake Gairdner is
          the best venue but untimely rain thwarted record attempts in 1995 and
          1998.

          Now March 2000 the "Aussie Invader Team" are trying again.


          PART THREE - UPDATE:- 27 March, 2000

          After waiting all week for the lake to dry, praying that no more rain would
          come. Rosco finally ran Aussie Invader 3 Friday afternoon.

          His first pass was at 500km/h he was thrilled to be actually driving again
          and Aussie Invader 3 handled perfect. The team then turned him around
          and he did a twilight pass, great for vision and photos. The team were so
          excited after waiting 2 years and then disappointed with the rain during the
          week to finally see the car run.

          Saturday: Rosco ran again taking her to 600km/h - 375 mph

          Rosco and the team then gave Paula a run. The first pass was a slow one
          for her to get the feel of Aussie Invader 3.The team then turned her
          around and let her have a run on full after burner, on her first full pass she
          did an amazing ....575 km/h - 360 mph

          Rosco and the team were impressed and Paula was estatic, I would have
          love to seen the smile on her face, and Rosco's as he finally got to see
          Aussie Invader run in real life. We will soon, be receiving the vision and
          photos, once they come back to Perth, we will see how they captured
          these precious moments.

          The rain is falling once again at Lake Gairdner as we speak, so they are
          packing up to come home unable to have an attempt at the World records
          this time out.

          They are hoping to get through before the tracks turn to mud.

          We will keep you posted of our progress!
 
LOOKS LIKE THEY'LL BE BACK IN 2001 !!
 
 I feel this is
          going to be an exciting year and hopefully it will all come together to get
          the World Records March 2001.


          Bye for now
          Cheryl McGlashan xoxox

Craig Breedlove from California says:-

A five-time record holder, Craig Breedlove and crew will attempt to regain the World Land Speed Record for the United States. The current record is British held at 763 mph. The team will also be returning the record to America after a 17 year absence.

The sleek Spirit of America car you see is 44 feet long and is powered by a J-79 turbo-jet engine--the same engine used in the famous F-4 Phantom. Craig's engine has been modified to burn formula Shell premium unleaded gasoline, the same gasoline you buy at the pumps, and puts out an impressive 24,000 pounds of thrust. This gives the 9,000 pound car a thrust to weight ratio better than most modern fighter planes.

It is significant, that after Craig's 'year-off' to recouperate from 'deflation', he has applied for BLACK ROCK from Sept7 '99 until Nov30 '99. Let's keep our eyes and ears open for his progress!

==============================================
That was clearly missed!!
==============================================
Here's some news:-

STOCKTON, Calif.—

In preparation for Spirit of America’s 2000 world land speed record attempts, a test of one of SOA’s two J79 jet engines was recently conducted at Aero Turbine’s test facility at the Stockton Airport. Results of the tests revealed engine vibration levels beyond allowable tolerances. Attempts to lower tolerance levels by resetting the engine’s compressor to less aggressive conditions were to no avail, indicating an internal imbalance of the compressor and turbine sections of the engine.

“This was the first time this particular engine had ever been tested, and the results were not unusual for preliminary testing,” commented SOA’s power plant mechanic Jim Maine. “Because of the power to weight ratio of this vehicle, vibration levels must be held to minimal tolerances to prevent strain on the car’s frame,” Maine continued. The engine team will now begin disassembly of the engine’s compressor and turbine sections to locate and correct the exact cause of the vibration.

Inspection and test preparation of the other J79 engine that powered the Spirit of America during the 1997 record attempts is also underway. “Our intention is to arrive at Black Rock with two engines both capable of record-setting performance,” stated Spirit’s pilot Craig Breedlove.

Preparing for his own record-setting performance, a date had, then, to be determined for Breedlove’s surgery to correct a bone spur and rotator cuff injury in his right shoulder. Breedlove hoped doctors at U.C. Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif. would be able to perform the outpatient operation by the end of the month so that he may move forward with his recovery.

========================================================
It seems that Craig is making progress, here, because:-
Craig continues to manage his business investments and appearance schedule, while he was awaiting surgery to correct a bone spur in his right shoulder. The operation was scheduled for Tuesday, December 14th (1999) at U.C. Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif. Renowned sports orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Marder performed the surgery, which typically requires a 12-week recovery period.
That puts him, like Rosco, into the March 2000 timeslot!!
===========================================================
Well NO actually, as the latest news that I have from Craig's team is that he doesn't intend to run until SEPT 2000!! We can't wait!!
==========================================================
Meanwhile, Breedlove continues his limited physical regimen and is spending much time in front of the cameras. LMNO Productions visited the shop, conducting team interviews, and gathering footage for a 15-minute segment of “Tough” to air on The Learning Channel. The History Channel visited as well, as Breedlove performed guest questioner duties for their quiz show for kids. Air dates of the programs will be posted on the team’s web site. Next, Breedlove heads to Chicago for the opening of the new Chicago Speedway.

Next, the World Speed Record Team will turn their attention towards the high-tech wheel and tire program. The tooling to construct the 1,000-mph tires is complete and drawings for the new dust-shedding wheel disks are underway. During SOA’s 1997 attempts it was discovered that the fine powder dust from the Black Rock Desert was collecting on the wheels causing a severe vibration at speeds greater than 400 mph. The new disks will prevent dirt build-up, thereby greatly enhancing the assemblies’ performance.

“I am extremely pleased with the way this car is coming together. There’s no doubt that we will have an 800-mph car when this team is through with it,” affirmed team owner/driver Craig Breedlove.

NORTH AMERICAN EAGLE from USA

claimed to be a 800 mph Land Speed Record Attempt!!
Recently, their website, although structured OK - doesn't feed one with any hard news. But, more recently:-

In regards to the North American Eagle project, the team has taken delivery of a large mobile shelter. The 30 by 60 tent will be invaluable when the team takes to Rogers Dry Lakebed next year when test runs commence. Steve Green continues to work in Abbottsford on the rear suspension for the new car. Following heat treating, the parts will be assembled. It is a slow process, a metamorphosis from flying machine to land machine as it transformation from Mach 2 aircraft to Mach 1 LSR continues. The team continues to accumulate the necessary parts. The inventory spare parts continues to grow. Nothing can stop us now! Look for Ed’s update when he returns from Bonneville next week.

[Roy's note: Ed Shadle is the Project Manager, here's a 'shot' of him:-]






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and travels either finished or under preparation.