Cool News
Paul Thacker breaks world record on snowmobile |
|
Polaris rider Paul Thacker recently jumped a snowmobile more than 300 feet
breaking the world record at Minnesota's Brainerd International
Raceway, according to a Monster Energy press release. "I got
up to 87 miles per hour 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. Thacker's jump broke his previous world record for snowmobile distance jumping of 271 feet on February 17, 2008. "I was already screaming in my helmet on the down run," Thacker said. Weather was a constant challenge during Thacker's attempts because of high winds and foul weather early in the week. When
Thacker and the Monster Energy team arrived at BIR on Tuesday, March
24th, it was raining sideways with strong winds, according to the
press release. On Wednesday, the weather was drizzly and
crosswinds were upwards of 35 mph. They attempted the jumps in the
morning reaching around 200 feet, according to the press release. On Thursday, the rain turned to snow with a manageable 10 mph wind. Thacker started jumping around 10am with a 150-foot gap. "The
third time we pulled it back I knew I needed 85 mph plus and I'd been
getting 82-83 mph," said Thacker. "So we did some clutching and some
jetting adjustments and I got 84 mph and went 283 (feet) with a
235-foot gap - a new world record. We could have shut it down at that
point, but, to be honest with you, I wasn't even excited with the new
world record. Myself, Monster - all my other sponsors - it wasn't what
we wanted." After meeting with their safety crew, they moved the ramp back to allow for a 250-foot gap. "I
took a couple speed runs and knew I had to hit at least 84 mph," said
Thacker. "Anything less would have basically been the end of me." At
3 pm on March 26th, Thacker and his team did a final check of the sled.
He did a few final fly-byes with the radar reading 87,88 and then 89
mph. "I stopped by the trailer one last time and my mechanic,
Alex, gave the sled a once-over and sent me on my way," said Thacker.
"I hit it at 87 (mph) and flew just over 301 feet." In total, Thacker made 13 jumps, according to the press release. "300
feet has been such a huge goal, such a huge sense of accomplishment.
And I'm honored to be the first person to do so," Thacker said.
|