Light up the Night
Embry-Riddle's Prescott jet dragster team makes its public debut
Kerianne Hobbs
Issue date: 3/10/10 Section: News
Crowding around as close as possible against the yellow caution tape, an excited throng braced themselves on a quiet, calm, and beautiful Prescott evening. The object of their attention was a stagnant jet car yards in front of them. The anticipation in the air was almost tangible. The car seemed to come to life as driver Elaine Larsen started the engine and a massive plume of grey smoke rose into the air. The smoke barely had time to clear before the demonstration began, complete with fire and deafening jet engine noise. Â
After months of hard work, the Jet Dragster Team made its much public debut and dedicated their new Performance Vehicles Lab on Feb. 15 and 16 with a serious of events to show off their work and the program that has been built on campus. Â
The demonstration on the first evening was done using the original ERAU Jet Dragster which was retired some time ago. During the demonstration, Elaine Larsen performed a series of afterburner pops, which lit up the twilit sky and emitted heat that could be felt as far as the crowd of eager onlookers.
After the demonstration, the Jet Dragster Team, Larsen Motorsports, and the excited audience convened in the Lower Hanger of the Student Union for more information, a chance to talk to Elaine and Chris Larsen, and hot chocolate and cookies. Â
Before Feb. 15, the Prescott campus had never seen one of the school's jet dragsters run. The demonstration car, custom made by Larsen Motorsports, can reach a maximum speed of 336 mph. The 6000 Horsepower Pratt and Whitney J60 engine can get from "0 to 100 in 1 second, 0 to 200 in 3 seconds, and 0 to 300 in 5 seconds," announced Chris Larsen of Larsen Motorsports, as he introduced the demonstration car.
After the spectacular event Monday night, the Jet Dragster team held an Open House of building 59, the new Performance Vehicles Lab, at 11 a.m. the next day. The Open House was followed by a second, daytime demonstration of the old ERAU Jet Dragster in Parking Lot E. The events culminated with a dedication and cake cutting for the new Performance Vehicles Lab.
After months of hard work, the Jet Dragster Team made its much public debut and dedicated their new Performance Vehicles Lab on Feb. 15 and 16 with a serious of events to show off their work and the program that has been built on campus. Â
The demonstration on the first evening was done using the original ERAU Jet Dragster which was retired some time ago. During the demonstration, Elaine Larsen performed a series of afterburner pops, which lit up the twilit sky and emitted heat that could be felt as far as the crowd of eager onlookers.
After the demonstration, the Jet Dragster Team, Larsen Motorsports, and the excited audience convened in the Lower Hanger of the Student Union for more information, a chance to talk to Elaine and Chris Larsen, and hot chocolate and cookies. Â
Before Feb. 15, the Prescott campus had never seen one of the school's jet dragsters run. The demonstration car, custom made by Larsen Motorsports, can reach a maximum speed of 336 mph. The 6000 Horsepower Pratt and Whitney J60 engine can get from "0 to 100 in 1 second, 0 to 200 in 3 seconds, and 0 to 300 in 5 seconds," announced Chris Larsen of Larsen Motorsports, as he introduced the demonstration car.
After the spectacular event Monday night, the Jet Dragster team held an Open House of building 59, the new Performance Vehicles Lab, at 11 a.m. the next day. The Open House was followed by a second, daytime demonstration of the old ERAU Jet Dragster in Parking Lot E. The events culminated with a dedication and cake cutting for the new Performance Vehicles Lab.
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