Spring Break
Defying gravity
Jeff Ellis
Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: Sports
The idea of a snowmobile flying through the air further than 300 feet seems downright stupid and impossible. Paul Thacker set the previous world record last year with a jump of 271 feet, but after a trip to the Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minn., the old record never stood a chance.
Increasing the jumping distance of a sled by more than 30 feet requires modifications to many parts of the body to ensure a cleaner flight. So Thacker and his team implemented aircraft-style modifications that included a larger windshield and a front nose cone.
Thacker, who was the pilot of the 430-pound Bikeman Performance-powered Polaris IQ 600 snowmobile with custom Fox Shox suspension, was weary of the weather conditions and whether or not he would even be able to attempt the jump upon arriving at the raceway. Harsh winds and rain could be disastrous and even deadly when attempting a jump of this magnitude. According to Thacker, weather consisted of "Raining sideways, blowing like stink."
Fortunately, however, the weather aided Thacker and his team as the snow-pile landing froze and made it perfect for the rest of the week. "I got up to 87 mph and hit the take-off ramp. When I was in the air I just knew it was perfect. Flew over 301 feet. With the amplitude and the way I landed, I knew we got to where we wanted to be," Thacker said.
When asked how the sled flew, Thacker responded by saying "It basically did exactly what I wanted it to do: fly straight and predictably. You're still hitting the ramp at 90 mph so there's some level of unpredictability; you're still hitting the ramp with unbelievable force. I wish I had a G-force meter on the sled with me because my body aches now, still, four days later. Shoulders, elbows, back, everything. And then you come down pretty hard on the landing as well."
There is no doubt that Thacker, known by friends and fans as Thax, could go bigger in the future. With advancements in technology and research allowing for more aerodynamic flights, snowmobilers are bound to push the limits and attempt to break this crazy new world record of 301.5 feet. After completing the jump and measuring the overall distance, Thacker and his team were all amazed, yet not fully satisfied.
"We were still on the landing after measuring the distance out and the crew and I are looking at each other, like, 'OK, what do we do now? Can we go 400 feet?'"
Jeff Ellis, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
Increasing the jumping distance of a sled by more than 30 feet requires modifications to many parts of the body to ensure a cleaner flight. So Thacker and his team implemented aircraft-style modifications that included a larger windshield and a front nose cone.
Thacker, who was the pilot of the 430-pound Bikeman Performance-powered Polaris IQ 600 snowmobile with custom Fox Shox suspension, was weary of the weather conditions and whether or not he would even be able to attempt the jump upon arriving at the raceway. Harsh winds and rain could be disastrous and even deadly when attempting a jump of this magnitude. According to Thacker, weather consisted of "Raining sideways, blowing like stink."
Fortunately, however, the weather aided Thacker and his team as the snow-pile landing froze and made it perfect for the rest of the week. "I got up to 87 mph and hit the take-off ramp. When I was in the air I just knew it was perfect. Flew over 301 feet. With the amplitude and the way I landed, I knew we got to where we wanted to be," Thacker said.
When asked how the sled flew, Thacker responded by saying "It basically did exactly what I wanted it to do: fly straight and predictably. You're still hitting the ramp at 90 mph so there's some level of unpredictability; you're still hitting the ramp with unbelievable force. I wish I had a G-force meter on the sled with me because my body aches now, still, four days later. Shoulders, elbows, back, everything. And then you come down pretty hard on the landing as well."
There is no doubt that Thacker, known by friends and fans as Thax, could go bigger in the future. With advancements in technology and research allowing for more aerodynamic flights, snowmobilers are bound to push the limits and attempt to break this crazy new world record of 301.5 feet. After completing the jump and measuring the overall distance, Thacker and his team were all amazed, yet not fully satisfied.
"We were still on the landing after measuring the distance out and the crew and I are looking at each other, like, 'OK, what do we do now? Can we go 400 feet?'"
Jeff Ellis, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
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