My question is, if you were a billionaire and wanted to break the current Land Speed Record of 763mph by Thrust SSC
1. how long would it take you to either buy a car already made, North American Eagle, Aussie Invader, Steve Fossetts Sonic Wind... or a make a custom made car and break the current 763mph record?
2. what would you use for power?
3. what speed could you easily reach?
4. how much do you think it would cost? Say that you agree to pay workers $50,000 per year, pay all their living expenses while working, provide free food and sleeping rooms, and pay their normal bills at home so they don't go broke while working to build/run the car?
5. include anything else you think would be important.
I just watched the SpaceX launch of their heavy rocket and saw the 2 rocket boosters land upright, side by side, which goes to show you that a land speed record should be obtainable compared to that. This 1 minute video shows the boosters as they fire their rockets prior to landing with sonic booms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_kfM-BmVzQ
10 most wealthiest people in the US as an example of who could easily afford it:
Bill Gates of Microsoft 81 Billion
Jeff Bezos of Amazon 67 Billion
Warren Buffet Bershire Hathaway 65 Billion
Mark Zuckerber Facebook 55 Billion
Larry Ellison Oracle 49 Billion
Michael Bloomberg Bloomberg LP 45 Billion
Charles Koch 42 Billion
David Koch 42 Billion
Larry Page Google 38 Billion
Sergey Brin Google 37 Billion
1. About 5-8 years (please note that money would be spent like it's going outta style)
2. A single throttleable hybrid rocket engine that could be replaced by a new one in less than an hour
3. 800 mph
4. Probably more than a billion dollars, but possibly less than two billion dollars. The workers would be much more expensive
than what you described, and it's likely that a much larger team of people would be required, compared to early
guesstimate(s).
5. Many, many test runs, at gradually increased speeds; using the Black Rock Desert, with (many, many) lanes pre-prepared
and 20-25 miles long. This includes using sonar or other suitable method to detect hidden hazards (such as rocks) buried
up to 6 inches below the playa surface. Many, many spare parts, such as engines, parachutes, wheels, etc. Money can be
a wonderful tool if enough is available.