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Rocket Racing Gets Its First Team

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the rednecks-of-the-sky dept.

quad4b writes to tell us Wired is reporting that the Rocket Racing League (RRL), launched last October by Granger Whitelaw and Peter Diamandis of Ansari X Prize fame, has its first official team. "Leading Edge Rocket Racing" was launched by entrepreneurs and former F-16 pilots Don "Dagger" Grantham and Robert "Bobaloo" Rickard who see this as the "next great flying experience."

8 of 74 comments (clear)

  1. Come On Elon by b0r1s · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Once Spacex gets their launch vehicle off the ground, maybe Elon can put up some money for this, too. Come on, put PayPal's money to some good entertainment use.

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  2. safely by gcnaddict · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Ill *safely* call this a gimick for now, but to be honest...

    I wont be surprised if this does end up getting off the ground in a few yea--er, decades (pun definitely intended)

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  3. Get in on the action by thebear05 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    "Fans on the ground will see the virtual track superimposed over the action on giant TV screens as well as on specially developed handheld units. A video game also in development by the RRL will pit fans at home against actual pilots during races." their are alot of gamers out there who i think would love the oportunity to take on actual f-16 pilots

  4. Re:Not going to work by mmkkbb · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It's popular enough that Red Bull supports it.

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    -mkb
  5. Re:Not going to work by Moofie · · Score: 1, Interesting

    You didn't say "economically viable". You said "popular". NASCAR and football are popular, but I'd rather rearrange my sock drawer than watch that stuff.

    The organizers think they have a business model. You think it won't be popular. We'll see who's right.

    "A rocket race will be worse -- they're not even as maneuverable as an airplane. "

    Did you even bother to look at the pictures? They ARE airplanes...with rocket engines. But you're the Reality Master, so those facts probably don't have much to do with your judgement, right?

    --
    Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!
  6. Re:Not going to work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    The Reno Air Races get an attendance of over 200,000 each year.

    http://www.rgj.com/news/stories/html/2005/09/13/10 8687.php

    The EAA AirVenture Oshkosh show gets 750,000+ visitors.

    http://www.airventure.org/2006/about/history.html

  7. Re:Not going to work by CastrTroy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Just because nobody watches it, doesn't mean it's not a good sport. I know a guy who's really into unicycling. They get big beefed up unicycles and ride around on dirt trails, jump around, and do a bunch of really fun stuff. As a sport it's pretty good. Low cost to start, $600 gets you pretty much the best unicycle there is, and you can do it just about anywhere. It's very exciting, and very rewarding, as you can judge your success on how much you can do, compare to what others can do.

    --

    Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
  8. Sounds like Rocket Jockey by Tanlis · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Anyone remember this game?

    Rocket Jockey

    This is what I was reminded of when I saw the headline. Too bad, they would never add the elements Rocket Jockey had. That would definitely get me to watch it.

    Sign me up though when people will be straddling rockets and trying to clothesline each other with ropes. :D