A MOMENT WITH MIKE: Who will be the next Evel Knievel of R/C?

0 June 5, 2018, 11:57 a.m.

Main Photo: A MOMENT WITH MIKE: Who will be the next Evel Knievel of R/C?

By Mike Garrison
LiveRC.com

A Moment with Mike is a weekly opinion column where LiveRC’s Mike Garrison gives his take on hot-button issues, general topics, and conversations within the RC industry. The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of LiveRC.

Arguably the greatest dare devil to ever walk this planet is the none other than Evel Knievel. He set numerous records in his day and is considered by many to be the founding father of the action/extreme sports movement. Today, world records continue being set one after another using anything with a motor – whether its motorcycles, cars, trucks, lawnmowers, and/or everything in between.

(World's fastest lawn mower.)

Evel Knievel is a hero of mine for his accomplishments and numerous records he set as a dare devil. While not always risking their life as Evel did, R/C has its own “Evel Knievel’s” who seek the same thrills of going fast, stunt jumping enormous distances, and breaking world records. I’ve decided to put together a list of just a few of the current R/C car Guinness World Record holders, as it’s their time to shine in this edition of “A Moment with Mike”.

Longest ramp jump by a remote controlled (RC) car

Who: THOMAS STROBEL
What: 36.9 METRE(S)
Where: GERMANY (SONNEBERG)
When: 30 JULY 2011

The longest ramp jump performed by a remote controlled model car was 36.9 m (121 ft 0.75 in) achieved by a Carson Specter 6S, controlled by Thomas Strobel (Germany) at SPEEDWEEKS 2011 in Sonneberg, Germany on 30 July 2011.

Several attempts were made on the day, Strobel initially jumped a distance of 35.2 m (115 ft 5.82 in) before bettering it. The Carson Specter 6S uses a brushless motor powerd by a 22.2V LiPo battery pack.

Fastest internal combustion engine powered remote-controlled model car (RC)

Who: MARK CORDEN
What: 137.86 KILOMETRE(S) PER HOUR (85.66 mph)
Where: UNITED KINGDOM (STRATFORD-UPON-AVON)
When: 29 OCTOBER 2008

The fastest speed reached by a internal combustion powered radio-controlled model car is 137.86 km/h (85.66 mph), controlled by Jason Bradbury (UK) on the set of The Gadget Show in Stratford-upon-Avon, UK, on 29 October 2008.

Fastest battery-powered remote-controlled model car (RC)

Who: NIC CASE
What: 325.12 KILOMETRE(S) PER HOUR
Where: UNITED STATES (SAINT GEORGE)
When: 25 OCTOBER 2014

The fastest battery-powered remote-controlled model car is the "Radio Controlled Bullet" at a speed of 325.12 km/h (202.02 mph), built by Nic Case (USA) and achieved in Saint George, Utah, USA, on 25 October 2014.

The speed run was taken at the ROSSA (Radio Operated Scale Speed Association) World Championships.

Greatest distance by a remote controlled model car in 24 hours (RC)

Who: DURACELL INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
What: 186.24 KILOMETRE(S)
Where: HUNGARY (BUDAPEST)
When: DURING 23-24 AUGUST 2017

The greatest distance by a remote controlled model car in 24 hours (RC) is 186.24 km (115.72 miles) and was achieved by Duracell International Operations (Switzerland), in Budapest, Hungary, during 23-24 August 2017.

The car completed 3,200 laps of the course during the attempt.

Greatest distance by a battery powered remote-controlled model car on a single charge (RC)

Who: NEIL ELLIOT, SASKIA KROSCHEWSKI, BODO SCHIEFER, TORSTEN GERST, FABIO MONTERO, CHRISTIANO ROCCO, THIAGO JACON, MARK HENDY, FABIAN KIRNER, RENE PÜPKE, ARNO PÜPKE
What: 106.93 KILOMETRE(S)
Where: GERMANY (VIERSEN)
When: 24 JANUARY 2016

The greatest distance by a battery powered radio-controlled (RC) model car on a single charge is 106.93 km (66.44 mi), achieved by Arno Püpke, René Püpke (both Germany) and their team at the Tennishalle Viersen, Viersen, Germany, on 24 January 2016.

The attempt was achieved in tribute to Bertha Benz, who in August 1886 drove 106 km (66 mi), which was the longest distance driven at the time.

While all the records above are very impressive, many of them were officially set and recorded by the Guinness World Records quite some time ago, and it is said that several of the records have been unofficially broken since then. In addition to existing records being broken, there is an extensive list of Guinness World Records that have yet to ever be officially recorded - although I know many have been unofficially attempted and/or successfully completed over the years.

Here is a list of just a FEW R/C related records that have yet to be officially attempted/recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records:

Highest ramp jump by a remote controlled (RC) car
Tightest remote-controlled (RC) car parallel parking
Most donuts by a remote controlled (RC) car in one minute
Farthest distance driving a remote-controlled (RC) car on side wheels
Longest journey by a remote controlled (RC) model car
Fastest turboshaft remote-controlled model car (RC)
Fastest 100m by a battery powered remote-controlled model car (RC)
Largest parade of RC model vehicles
Fastest remote controlled model boat (RC)

With many of the existing world records set years ago, and a lengthy list of unattempted records waiting for someone to attempt them in the eyes of Guinness, who will be the next R/C “Evel Knievel” and Guinness Book of World Records R/C record holder? Could it be you, or someone you know?