For 2004 and 2005, we relied on Yamaha 660R Raptors. For 2006 and 2007, we evolved to using Yamaha Raptor 700R’s. Though these vehicles appear “normal” in many ways, the trained eye will detect the numerous enhancements made to the Raptors that allowed them to achieve incredible record-breaking speeds. Let me take you methodically through the Rocket Raptor’s construction so that you can see what makes a World Record ATV (we’ll even include the Rocket Recovery Rhino):
This is the Oregon based dealership where it all started for every version of the Raptors and the Recovery Rhino. Cycle Sports has been the sole source of the past 15 ATV's for our race and recreational endeavors. We continuously count on the good folks at Cycle Sports of Salem for all our local service and support needs. They have yet to let us down.
Jeff, Grant and the gang are the creative geniuses behind designing the unique bodies that allow us to stay within the rule-books category of ATV for the land speed records, but still slice through the air as efficient as an ATV can. Fullbore has the distinction of creating durable bodywork that has proven time and again to withstand the incredible aerodynamic forces we must overcome to achieve the incredible speeds necessary to be the world's fastest. They continually strive each year to develop more innovative ways to allow our ATV to cheat the laws of physics.
Their continuous dedication to the team effort over the years has been invaluable. Their in-house engine modifications allowed us to find a perfect balance between max power and spot-on reliability, especially at speeds where the power was critical to allow optimum operation of the rocket thruster. They performed all the engine intake, top-end and exhaust modifications. They knew we needed to build a motor that could not only create power, but it had to be reliable power that could stay on for extremely long durations to make the time trap distances.
Pete Fisher has been the "mad scientist" behind the scenes. He is the highly recognized, albeit zany, guru of speed. His reputation for finding and delivering power to the ground is beyond recourse and his experience in chasing the speed demons at Bonneville is legendary. He brings the team his vast experience, knowledge and a secret little bag of tricks that permitted us to overcome many of the inherent gremlins that come with slicing through the air with a four-wheeled brick.
Once we had the engine dialed in, we knew we needed to find a way to push the very very tall gears we were running to hit the potential 170 mph target. BossNoss to the rescue. They approached us during the successful 2006 record attempt with a reliable and unique nitrous system that delivered constant power where we needed it most. Obviously, we stayed true to them and they delivered again. But, they went a step further and developed the nitrous and oxygen containment and injection system for the rocket thruster. In fact, when the rocket combustion chamber experienced a total failure, not one single BossNoss component was compromised. They will always have our confidence and our dedication in future attempts.
Now that we had the ATV, the body and the power, we needed to deliver all of that to the ground and keep the tire footprint planted on terra firma. At the speeds we were running, every single pebble and surface deformity is highly exaggerated. The ability of the ATV to overcome those obstacles is critical. Too soft of shocks results in catastrophic angle of attack issues and too firm results in the ATV losing it's firm foundation on the track. FOXSHOX came up with a perfect suspension combination that can handle everything the track throws at us and then some. The EVO X series also offers aerodynamic qualities no other shock body can provide (no exposed spring) and the performance characteristics are unmatched.
The front shocks had to be mated to a steering geometry that was nothing less than perfect. To run an ATV at the speeds we needed would require high strength, extensive aft castor to maintain control, and full adjustability for any unforeseen track conditions. To that end, we counted on Jason at Laeger's again. His A-arm designs gave us the much needed castor angles to permit the ATV to run at high speeds without wanting to take off into the desert. Laeger A-arms have a reputation for strength and reliability, factors necessary for us to keep control of the rocket bike at 160+ mph.
One of the most critical factors facing anyone in a land speeder is the fact you have to make critical driveline parts rotate at speeds they were never designed nor intended to reach. We knew we had to have rotating components that could hold up to incredible stress, heat and deflection. To that end, we relied on the good people at Durablue. They went way out of their way to provide an axle, hubs, carrier and hardware that had been carefully tested, balanced, trued and retested to make sure they would stand the test of speed. Considering the various mechanical failures we experienced in our attempts, it was very gratifying to see that the Durablue stuff was bullet-proof. We would never consider using anyone else in future efforts.
After all is said and done, the culmination of all the moving parts and powerplant finally comes together and gets delivered to the track through the wheel and tires. We knew we had to have wheels capable of keeping us planted (upright is a good thing too), holding up to speeds approaching 170mph and also giving us the necessary offset and sizing to enhance the gear ratios and move the air efficiently past them. Paet at DWT stepped up and produced the wheel combination we needed. You see, in land speeders, it's not width you want for stability. You strive for a narrow stance and narrow cross-section. DWT designed tall, yet narrow wheels that would cut the air better at all four stations and then created offsets that allowed the frontal air swath to collapse onto narrower rear wheel offsets to better close the hole we were punching, think tear drop. Obviously, this worked well and we have been incredibly successful.
We knew we needed a reliable and visible control system to enable the rocket raptor pilots (Natalie and myself) to see what the ATV was experiencing. Enter the TrailTech Vapor system. This highly accurate (and cool looking) digital display system provided us RPM data, temperature, speed and time. All of these data inputs were crucial in permitting the pilots to make necessary gear shifts, rocket engagement and speed monitoring. Seeing the readout hit 140mph on a practice run was so very cool. In addition, the system had to be subjected to high wind speeds and vibrations, yet it performed flawlessly.
Safety is paramount in these types of projects. We knew we needed to incorporate safety components on both the Rocket Raptor and the recovery Rhino in order for them to do their intended functions. Pro Armor developed and provided the best in leg protection for the Raptor pilot and the Rhino was fitted with some very nice and functional roll bar padding and body armor. Their strength and functionality was exceptional.
The Recovery Rhino was a unique platform in itself. It had to be equipped with crew seats front and back, nitrous fill stations, oxygen bottles and safety/recovery gear. This vehicle had a singular purpose: to be fast, strong, reliable and good looking. It was tasked to recover the Rocket Raptor under all foreseeable crisis's as well as respond to any emergencies. The engine capabilities were essentially stock and enhanced with an ALBA intake system, Dragonfire ignition components and an exhaust by Portland Exhaust. The body was a beautiful work of art by Fullbore Innovations, the lighting was by TrailTech, the supplemental safety cage/rear seats was designed and built by Jeff Jones and the super strong and classy wheels came from the good folks at OMF. You can’t have a recovery vehicle without a recovery system. Enter Warn winches with the installation of their RT 30 winch system. When doing land speed records, timing and turnaround times for each run are critical, especially with unforgiving timing authorities. We had to put our trust in a system we knew we could rely on each and every recovery, so we went with the obvious choice....Warn. And rest assured, this vehicle was worked like a dog on world record day.