Monday, May 30, 2011

 Longest ramp jump: Tanner Foust sets world record (HD Video)

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, USA -- Team Hot Wheels Yellow Driver, Tanner Foust, a 37-year-old professional stunt driver and three-time X Games gold medalist, sped down a bright orange ramp at 104 mph and jumped 332 feet in a Pro 2 truck - setting the new world record for the Longest ramp jump in a four-wheeled vehicle .

  Photo: Tanner Foust of Team Hot Wheels sets a new world record with a 332 ft. distance jump at the IZOD Presents Hot Wheels Fearless at the Indy 500 in Indianapolis. Photo: Ross Dettman/AP Images for Mattel ( enlarge photo )

The Guinness world record for the Longest ramp jump - limousinewas set by Michael Hughes (USA), who jumped a distance of 31.39 m (103 ft) in a 3 tonne (6,500 lb) Lincoln Town Car stretched limousine at Perris Auto Speedway, Perris, California, USA.

Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the Longest garbage truck ramp jump, set by Alfred Sleep (USA), who jumped a garbage truck a distance of 23.57 m (77 ft 4 in) at Lebanon Valley Speedway, New York, USA.

  "Fans witnessed not only a record-breaking jump today, but also an incredible childhood fantasy come to life which engaged multiple generations," said Simon Waldron, vice president of marketing for Hot Wheels®.

  "Hot Wheels has a deep and rich history in racing that spans over 40 years and there was no better global stage than the Indy 500 to create this once-in-a-lifetime experience."

  Spectators at the Indy 500 watched anxiously today as a masked mystery driver sped down a 90 ft. ramp, suspended on an enormous 10-story high door (100 feet tall) and flew across the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

  Moments after the jump occurred, Foust was revealed as the mystery Team Hot Wheels™ Yellow Driver. The "IZOD Presents Hot Wheels Fearless at the 500™" jump brought to life the iconic Hot Wheels® V-Drop® track set boys have played with on their bedroom doors for years.

  "As a kid playing with Hot Wheels I could only dream of experiencing something as outrageous as a life-sized V-Drop track set, and today it became reality," said Tanner Foust, Team Hot Wheels Yellow Driver.

  "There's a lot that goes into being on Team Hot Wheels and the training and testing leading up to the jump gave me the confidence needed to push the mechanical and mental limits of the challenge and land the world-record title."

 Photo: Tanner Foust of Team Hot Wheels sets a new world record with a 332 ft. distance jump at the IZOD Presents Hot Wheels Fearless at the Indy 500. ( enlarge photo )

  Foust is a professional stunt driver with a record number of top finishes and thrilling behind-the-wheel moments captured on-screen. In addition to being a three-time X Games gold medalist and two-time Formula Drift champion, Foust is also an on-air host for Top Gear USA on HISTORY.

  He recently became the first American ever to win a round of the FIA European Rallycross championship in his Rockstar Energy Drink Ford Fiesta.

  His professional stunt driving credits include Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, Dukes of Hazzard, Bourne Ultimatum, Iron Man 2, and the remake of Red Dawn.