The Rocket Racing League finally seems to be taking off. Originally inspired by the fictional Star Wars pod racers, and after about two-and-a-half years of work, the 1st Exhibition Race of the Rocket Racing League will take place August 1-2 2008 in Oshkosh, Wisconson. The X-Racer, as the plane is called, is a single-pilot craft with 1,500 pound of thrust and a top speed in excess of 280 knots.
The race planes will be powered by 2 engine types. The XCOR engine uses liquid oxygen and kerosene as propellants, whereas the Armadillo engine uses alcohol instead of kerosene. These things are not mouth-breathers, carry their own oxidizer and so can only aloft for about 14 minutes: 4 minutes powered + 10 gliding, before landing to refuel.
The RRL sez they expect 700,000 people to be in attendance Aug 1-2 … sounds optimistic.
Rocket Racing League Announces First Exhibition Race – press release, April 14 2008
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