Landracing Forum

Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => Bonneville General Chat => Topic started by: ratpatrol66 on August 28, 2019, 03:10:13 PM

Title: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: ratpatrol66 on August 28, 2019, 03:10:13 PM
Surprised to not see this being discussed. She was involved with many things in the automotive industry. She will be sadly missed.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a28843412/jessi-combs-killed-in-land-speed-record-crash/?fbclid=IwAR3DyvwhQhdJiLdWSc_TLsMOrT619Sd48qJyrE96NwcK13o2mEbBHFDCLKw

https://jalopnik.com/fastest-woman-on-four-wheels-jessi-combs-killed-in-jet-1837654356?fbclid=IwAR2z8-xqfpqvBmB5NuKJ-QXMdImAZ16UFCeO0gdWCXowtFo0FgkqThyqdt0
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: wheelrdealer on August 28, 2019, 03:55:28 PM
It is in the North American Eagle posting.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: trimmers on August 28, 2019, 03:59:43 PM
I just watched an older video of her driving that "thing".  It appears that it didn't even have a roll bar, let alone a cage.

Jeff in Boise
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: gnomenator on August 28, 2019, 05:07:27 PM
 :-( :-( WOW that was the last thing I ever expected to read! Keep the pedal down  Jessi, rest in peace! :-(
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: TAKERRY on August 29, 2019, 09:18:09 AM
I agree I noticed on an earlier video looks like no cage. I look at drivers in 200 MPH cars are strapped in and they look a lot more secure. Why does it appear like there was no drivers cage or am I missing something. RIP Jesse you ere wonderful on all the different TV shows and builds.
You will be missed.

Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: aircap on August 30, 2019, 12:54:09 AM
No cage, not even an attempt at a cage.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: dw230 on August 30, 2019, 09:42:43 AM
FIA record attempt cars are not required to meet SCTA-BNI specs.
Title: Re: RIP Jessi Combs
Post by: TrickyDicky on August 30, 2019, 10:31:37 AM
FIA record attempt cars are not required to meet SCTA-BNI specs.

Since 2016(?) the FIA has adopted safety regulations closely aligned with SCTA-BNI.  MalcolmUK knows more about this, I understand.

As far as I know NAE never made an FIA-regulated/timed record attempt.  Sadly we may never know whether it was eligible to set an FIA record without significant additional work.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: racefanwfo on August 30, 2019, 08:08:00 PM
Every news outlet that has reported the crash keep saying that she was trying to break the current land speed record but i do believe that they where only testing the car like the other times the car has been run. The NAE had never done any runs with any official timing equipment set up. The car will never run again. Waste of money time and a persons life.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: salt27 on August 30, 2019, 11:25:25 PM
Every news outlet that has reported the crash keep saying that she was trying to break the current land speed record but i do believe that they where only testing the car like the other times the car has been run. The NAE had never done any runs with any official timing equipment set up. The car will never run again. Waste of money time and a persons life.



In 2015 at the Alvord they had the USFRA timing equipment set up.
Whether or not it was monitored by officials I do not know.


Ed and Jesse, I'm glad I had the pleasure of knowing you both, RIP

  Don








Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: racergeo on August 31, 2019, 12:10:32 AM
   I'm pretty sure Jessi was all about being the fastest women. Ed would have recruited her in order to have that distinction. It would never have gotten him the distinction of being the fastest anything but 'plane without wings'. It says on the internet that a witness to the accident said she ran out of lake bed and couldn't get stopped before crashing much like a jet crashes.  Could have she been looking at the GPS and ran out of track?? A good friend of mine knew and financially supported Ed. He was in Ed's high school class and they were close. He was a casket carrier at Ed's funeral. I talked with him the morning after the crash and he acknowledged that"Ed should have been driving" So sad a loss. Way to young.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: desotoman on August 31, 2019, 12:18:17 AM
Every news outlet that has reported the crash keep saying that she was trying to break the current land speed record but i do believe that they where only testing the car like the other times the car has been run. The NAE had never done any runs with any official timing equipment set up. The car will never run again. Waste of money time and a persons life.

Posted August 17, 2019 on the NAE website.

"It was load up day at the North American Eagle? hangar today.  Before too long we will be out on the lakebed helping Jessi Combs set some records."

Tom G.

PS. the question mark after Eagle is suppose to be a registered trademark symbol.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: trimmers on August 31, 2019, 09:05:10 AM
According to a report by Fox News, a Harney County Sheriff's official stated that "There was a fire involved." but did not elaborate further.  I noticed that in photos of her in the car, she appears to be wearing an oxygen mask.  I wonder if the possible use of oxygen and the mention of fire could somehow be related.  If the driver became incapacitated, it could also explain why the vehicle didn't stop in the allocated area.  Hopefully, more details will follow.

Also, I seriously doubt that any attempt on an FIA record was involved.  To the best of my knowledge, the only applicable FIA records for thrust-powered vehicles are for the Blue Flame (Category C-TH-RT) at 630+MPH and the Thrust SSC (Category C-TH-JE) at 763+MPH.  I don't think they were shooting for either of those (only the latter would apply), and with FIA records, there is no gender-based discrimination.   

Jeff from Boise
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: wheelrdealer on August 31, 2019, 11:06:01 AM
I have never set a record at Bonneville, but I do have a personal best speed of just over 200 mph. Perhaps these speeds that are announced as records are really "personal best" speeds. Impressive to say the least but not office records. Not taking anything away from the endeavor or the bravery it takes to   attempt those speeds. What ever the cause it is a  terrible loss.

BR
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: racefanwfo on August 31, 2019, 03:43:27 PM
I don't believe that ed or jessi where breathing oxygen when they where driving the car they where being fed fresh air because of the dust that would enter the drivers area when they where running in the dirt. One of the goals jessi was trying to achieve was to go faster then kitty o'neal did in the smi motivator. Had ed not passed away and the team had a chance to go for the record set by thrust ssc ed would have been driving the car not jessi.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: mc1984ss on August 31, 2019, 07:30:01 PM
I'm sure most people already know this but the North American Eagle team is asking people not to donate to any of the "causes" etc. in Jesse's name. They stated on thier Facebook page that they are all a scan. They said there will be memorial later. RIP Jesse
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: pasingas on August 31, 2019, 11:49:58 PM
 They had a series  on tv when they were building that thing and testing it and everything else and I don?t remember seeing any type of structure other than the airframe this lady lost her life in a car that was not safe the sad thing is is that the people put it together didn?t spend the time to actually put in any type of framing or structure to make sure that the occupant was safe in any type of accident
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on September 01, 2019, 08:44:33 AM
Pasingas, you are a new poster here, and because of that I'll simply ask you to fess up and tell us who you are.   Coming out kinda strong about what was lacking in the car is not especially helpful to those that are grieving the loss of a racer.

While we're all racers (in one way or another) here -- the privilege of being (direct) rude is earned by establishing credentials, so to speak.  Who are you?

Thanks.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: Stainless1 on September 01, 2019, 12:20:07 PM
Jon, he could be the guy who's first post gets deleted if he does not do an intro post here or on the intro thread... 
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on September 01, 2019, 02:45:02 PM
For those of you that don't know it, eructation is a doctor-kinda word that means the expulsion of gas from the body.

In other words, a nice way of saying belch - or fart, which is indicated in this case by his use of the location definer "Rear" in his city name.

Come on, let's give him a chance to dig himself outa this.   8-)
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: gnomenator on September 01, 2019, 04:28:48 PM
Well said Slim and others!  I, for one, am glad that you called him on it ! Maybe he thinks he's giving us an 'education' with his 'knowledge' , but as you and several other people have said, this is NOT the time to slam a person, family or team. Can't even imagine how the people involved in the build of this machine feel! As the old saying goes' if you can't say something nice -shut the f**K' up ! RIP Jessi  :cheers: :cheers:
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: pasingas on September 01, 2019, 04:44:06 PM
Where I come from is my father raised flat bottom K boats in the 70s as a young child I seen several critical accidents and at the age of 12 I watched a man die in a race boat due to the fact he put a boat back together and severely broken In an accident two weeks prior to his  fail accident in Provo harbor  since then I?ve race dirt sprint cars late models and been involved in a lot of restorations  i?ve been friends with Kirkham David Kirkham at kirkham motorsports we were there for the first of the cobra family actually owns the first sold cobra  been friends with Mike Cook jellybean and speedy  and Mike LeFevre  and I?ve watched the salt for a lot of years and has my experience?ve built several sprint cars and several late model race cars for the dirt been very successful at it and see someone build a car in the way I seen that car built my father my brother and myself all felt the car with dangers when it was being built  and I feel very bad for Jessie?s family and teammates and everything else produce for the builders of a car you should?ve spent a lot more time and put safety at the top of the list I?m sorry you feel I?m being very critical but I feel like the lady lost her life he do to you necklace and everything is been learned on the salt and all of the time and all of the people giving their lives to teach us how to be safe and how to do this sport should be listened to hey you can do whatever you want to maybe and me I don?t really care but Had the car been built to SFI safety regulations and been under some sanctioning body it was going to look out for possible problems very sorry again my heart goes out to her family her friends and her crewmates
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: johnneilson on September 01, 2019, 04:47:52 PM
It is never a good day that someone loses while participating in an endeavor of passion, better than other options I am sure.
RIP Jessi, we miss you.

Also, Anthonie Hubert, may you always start from pole and land on the podium top step.

So I downloaded the FiA sporting regs on landspeed vehicles and found some interesting wording.

ex; DA 1.1.2 ?SCTA? refers to the current rulebook for the Southern California Timing Association.

DA2.2.3 Rollcage and rollcage padding (REQUIRED)
DA2.2.3.a Saloon cars shall have a rollcage and rollcage padding. It is recommended that the rollcage and rollcage padding
follow FIA Article 253.8 of Appendix J or SCTA 3.B-3.C.
DA2.2.3.b All other vehicles where FIA Article 253.8 of Appendix J is not applicable are strongly recommended to follow SCTA
3.B-3.C. Vehicles of monocoque design must have equivalent safety.
DA2.2.4 Seat belt (REQUIRED)
DA2.2.4.a All vehicles are required to have a minimum 5-point seat belt. All belts shall be in good condition.
DA2.2.4.b It is strongly recommended that the seat belt follows FIA standard 8853-98 or 8853-2016, or SFI 16.1 or 16.5.
DA2.2.4.c SFI-certified seat belts shall have a manufacturer?s tag with a legible date not more than 2 years old.
DA2.2.4.d It is recommended that the installation follows FIA Article 253.6 of Appendix J, independently if the harness is FIA- or
SFI-approved.
DA2.2.4.e Extremely reclined drivers shall use 7-point seat belts. It is recommended that the installation follows SCTA 3.D.2.

In addition to other details not pasted over, there are aerodynamic stability requirements and data to be supplied to FiA with application for attempts. (especially over 500 kph)

While I hear complaints about the safety rules SCTA enforces as minimums, it should be noted that the FiA refers to the SCTA book as a International Standard. No complaints here.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, J
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: racergeo on September 01, 2019, 04:59:26 PM
    Andy Green would have never gotten in that thing. Look at the effort the Blood Hound team went to in order to protect him.  Good interview of Andy on Jay Leno's Garage.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: SPARKY on September 01, 2019, 05:05:36 PM
 :dhorse:  This is a choice every sea captain, pilot, skier or chicken that crosses the busy road has to decide individually:  does my risk to get from point a to b in this vessel or vehicle under these conditions keep me from going---it is a personal choice ---the rules may help increase ones odds but it is a personal choice:  She decided to crawl in and go-- for her personal goal---her risk her reward--HER CHOICE
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: PorkPie on September 01, 2019, 06:02:36 PM
Sorry,

in the last days I read here and on several FB pages so much S H .....from people, that I have the feeling that they haven't the clue for one cent....

If you make a comment like this here, you better make your job right before you publish it....

FIA.....the first time ever they had a safety requirements and here especially for land speed record attempts was to the

01.01.2016........

Before, there was for land speed records only a minimum requirement...

in the 60's they had no seat belts under FIA.....

The first time the requirements to the new standards of 01.01.2016 was complete published to the

16.12.2017

so long it needs to be certified by lawyers......

Up to 31.12.2015 the NAE was legal under the requirements rules by the FIA.......and the NAE project starts in the 90's....

Stop to make speculations and blaming the NAE team and poor Jessi for something if the real facts are missing


R.I.P. little Jessi....




It is never a good day that someone loses while participating in an endeavor of passion, better than other options I am sure.
RIP Jessi, we miss you.

Also, Anthonie Hubert, may you always start from pole and land on the podium top step.

So I downloaded the FiA sporting regs on landspeed vehicles and found some interesting wording.

ex; DA 1.1.2 ?SCTA? refers to the current rulebook for the Southern California Timing Association.

DA2.2.3 Rollcage and rollcage padding (REQUIRED)
DA2.2.3.a Saloon cars shall have a rollcage and rollcage padding. It is recommended that the rollcage and rollcage padding
follow FIA Article 253.8 of Appendix J or SCTA 3.B-3.C.
DA2.2.3.b All other vehicles where FIA Article 253.8 of Appendix J is not applicable are strongly recommended to follow SCTA
3.B-3.C. Vehicles of monocoque design must have equivalent safety.
DA2.2.4 Seat belt (REQUIRED)
DA2.2.4.a All vehicles are required to have a minimum 5-point seat belt. All belts shall be in good condition.
DA2.2.4.b It is strongly recommended that the seat belt follows FIA standard 8853-98 or 8853-2016, or SFI 16.1 or 16.5.
DA2.2.4.c SFI-certified seat belts shall have a manufacturer?s tag with a legible date not more than 2 years old.
DA2.2.4.d It is recommended that the installation follows FIA Article 253.6 of Appendix J, independently if the harness is FIA- or
SFI-approved.
DA2.2.4.e Extremely reclined drivers shall use 7-point seat belts. It is recommended that the installation follows SCTA 3.D.2.

In addition to other details not pasted over, there are aerodynamic stability requirements and data to be supplied to FiA with application for attempts. (especially over 500 kph)

While I hear complaints about the safety rules SCTA enforces as minimums, it should be noted that the FiA refers to the SCTA book as a International Standard. No complaints here.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, J
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: ski123 on September 02, 2019, 12:22:49 PM
As it stands we really know nothing yet.  I have been critical of the NAE team and their cloak of secrecy in the past, so this is nothing new.  Details will emerge.  Jessi knew what she was doing and knew what she was getting into.  If she didn't think it was safe that was her decision, and that's ok.  She wasn't afraid to be on the edge, that can be a pretty cool way to live your life.  I'm sad for her family, the NAE family and LSR community and everybody that enjoyed her on tv, but I also feel like everything is going to be ok.  Bloodhound will be online soon and will also feel the gravity of the situation and Jessi will be remembered. Like I mentioned I have been a huge critic of this team but there is nothing for me to add but condolences. Sad times.  The next record will only mean more. Time heals most wounds. RIP.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: smitty2 on September 02, 2019, 02:09:24 PM
I'm holding back any judgement until I get the facts. I've been a critic and a supporter for years. I met Ed Shadle at the reunion and agree that a roll cage would have been of no use at the speeds this car was capable of.
Until I learn more all I can say about this is "You buy a ticket... you take the chance."
 RIP Jessi and Ed. You both will be dearly missed.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: Crosley on September 02, 2019, 07:28:41 PM
RIP Jessi...   She was a great ambassador for automotive sports. Generating interest from the younger crowd be that spectators or future fabricators to drivers.

I hope the facts are fully released when the crash  investigation is complete.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: trimmers on September 04, 2019, 02:22:27 PM
There's now a video of the run on Faux News.  It's taken from quite a distance, so all you can really see is a rooster tail of dirt.  It appears to end before anything happens.

Jeff in Boise
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: 4-barrel Mike on September 04, 2019, 02:39:07 PM
https://www.foxnews.com/auto/jessi-combs-fatal-land-speed-record-attempt-camera (https://www.foxnews.com/auto/jessi-combs-fatal-land-speed-record-attempt-camera)

Mike
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: racergeo on September 04, 2019, 09:22:46 PM
  Just watched on TMZ a video of the NAE. 65 seconds and it was already going fast at the start of video. At an average speed of 400 it could have traveled over 7 miles. How long is the course?  Not long enough, right
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: Crosley on September 04, 2019, 10:02:42 PM
TMZ web site has couple photos of the crashed  NAE car parts on a semi flatbed.. wreckage of the  engine and 1 rear wheel . 
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: racergeo on September 04, 2019, 11:43:31 PM
   OMG it's the old picture is worth a thousand words. No chutes out after 65 sec. and the resultant wreckage, I don't need to know any more :-(
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: gnomenator on September 06, 2019, 01:48:19 PM
So many people wishing "RIP" Jessi  :-(-maybe it's time to LET her!  :dhorse:
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: STICK777 on September 07, 2019, 04:25:44 AM
Quote
How long is the course?  Not long enough, right
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^This.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: ratpatrol66 on September 07, 2019, 05:43:13 AM
Sad fact is this will be talked about and speculated for years. LSR is a high risk sport and anything can and will go wrong. I watched Jesse on Extreme 4X4 years ago and thought it was so cool a girl was doing fab/weld work. She owned it and continued on to All Girls Garage, Over Hauling, and Myth Busters. JC was the real deal!!! 
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: jww36 on September 23, 2019, 03:13:36 PM
According to Car & Driver, Jesse may get into the Guinness Book of Records. Her two run average that fateful day was 531.889 MPH. Her first run was over 515 MPH and second run was over 548 MPH.

Hope she gets the recognition.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: ack on September 23, 2019, 06:33:03 PM
I hope she is recognized also it is a real tragic end to an amazing lady. We at one time entertained the though of putting her in the ACK Attack. Brian Leckey knew her well from Myth Busters and thought it would be an interesting angle for the documentary he was doing.  I am not sure what the rules are for automobile Guinness World Records. For motorcycle world records there are strict requirements for certified timing, mile and kilo surveyor certification to sub centimeter accuracy, and official sanction by the FIM.  Guinness has an agreement with the FIM and requires the FIM to certify the record before it is accepted.

https://www.hotcars.com/jessi-combs-record-sent-guinness-verification/
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: racefanwfo on September 26, 2019, 08:54:32 PM
She should not be recognized for a damn thing. She did not set a land speed record. All she did was go faster then kitty o'neal did in the smi motivator in 1976. The absolute land speed record is held by andy green.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: jww36 on September 27, 2019, 09:38:15 AM
We were talking World's Fastest Woman. I thought Andy Green was a man!
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: MAYOMAN on September 27, 2019, 11:38:50 AM
So, who timed and certified Jessi's runs? WLSRA? That is North American Eagle. All these spurious world land speed record claims never talk about what world record (flying start? distance? 100 feet? 132 feet? 1 kilometer? 1 mile?) how it is timed, who timed it, who certified it. For national or association records we have NHRA, SCTA, and others who specialize in certain venues or vehicles. The idea is to claim a record by competing against a record of known parameters. For instance, you can't time a vehicle at a different distance (100 feet versus 1 mile) and claim you are faster. That is why these organizations publish rules, and records in those organizations are set by following those rules. FIA, for example, also does not have a male or female record list, just the fastest vehicle and driver. Does any of the legitimate organizations recognize female records? Kitty O'Neil does have an FIA standing start record. She is the fastest, period. If we wish to maintain the credibility of the LSR sport, we have to insist on transparency and verification. This is not an attack on Jessi, a brave and talented woman.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: aircap on September 27, 2019, 11:42:35 PM
Nothing against Jessi, but I don't recognize Guinness, a book designed to settle bar bets and drunken trivia contests. Heck, I barely recognize the FIA.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: tallguy on November 06, 2019, 12:40:15 AM
   I'm pretty sure Jessi was all about being the fastest women. Ed would have recruited her in order to have that distinction. It would never have gotten him the distinction of being the fastest anything but 'plane without wings'. It says on the internet that a witness to the accident said she ran out of lake bed and couldn't get stopped before crashing much like a jet crashes.  Could have she been looking at the GPS and ran out of track?? A good friend of mine knew and financially supported Ed. He was in Ed's high school class and they were close. He was a casket carrier at Ed's funeral. I talked with him the morning after the crash and he acknowledged that"Ed should have been driving" So sad a loss. Way to young.

Very little information seems available online about this crash.  Where did you read about this witness to the
accident (reporting that Jessi ran out of lake bed)?  Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: Bob Wanner on November 06, 2019, 08:21:24 AM
posted this morning..https://www.aol.com/article/entertainment/2019/11/05/police-reveal-cause-of-crash-that-killed-racer-jessi-combs/23853972/
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: tallguy on November 12, 2019, 11:56:48 PM
posted this morning..https://www.aol.com/article/entertainment/2019/11/05/police-reveal-cause-of-crash-that-killed-racer-jessi-combs/23853972/


Very sketchy.  What did any witnesses see that they are willing to report?  The info could conceivably help save
somebody's life in the future. 
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: aircap on November 13, 2019, 12:58:23 AM
Sure, here's the info. Don't drive an unsafe machine. At any speed.
Title: Re: RIP Jesse Combs
Post by: STICK777 on November 14, 2019, 01:39:55 AM
Very sketchy in fact. Running over an object can be a polite way to say that she ran out of track. Alvord Desert ain't that big...