The Popular TV Host and Racer Killed While Attempting To Set Land-Speed Record
Jessi Combs was a friend to all of us here at Edelbrock. She posted this photo to her Facebook page in October of last year when she was looking forward to attending the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Jessi was just 36 years old when she crashed and died during an attempt to set a new land-speed record.
In the automotive and moto worlds, Jessi Combs was a true renaissance
woman. She raced, she rode, she built, and she inspired.
On Tuesday August 27, 2019, Jessi died tragically while attempting to break her own land-speed record on the Alvord Desert dry lakebed in Oregon. She held the title of Fastest Woman on Four Wheels when she set a 398-MPH record in 2013 piloting the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger. In October of 2018, Jessi hit 428 MPH in that car during a shakedown run but was unable to make the required back-to-back runs to set a record due to mechanical troubles. Jessi returned with the same car this past week to try to set the record. Her ultimate goal was to pilot the car past 512 MPH (the record set by Kitty O’Neil in 1976) which would have made her the Fastest Woman on Earth.
Jessi acquired her fabrication and building skills back in
2004 when she graduated from Wyotech’s collision and refinishing program. She was
perhaps best known for her many appearances hosting and fabricating on TV shows
such as Overhaulin’, All Girls Garage, Xtreme 4×4 and Mythbusters.
Looking into the tail end of her 52,000-horsepower jet car…Jessi posted this photo to her Instagram page three days ago with the caption “It may seem a little crazy to walk directly into the line of fire… those who are willing, are those who achieve great things.”
Jessi was also into the two-wheeled scene, often testing and
riding motorcycles and inspiring women to get out there and ride. Her loss will
be felt by many. Her death was confirmed this morning by Terry Madden, a member
of Jessi’s racing team who was on the scene when the crash occurred.
“Unfortunately, we lost her yesterday in a
horrific accident, I was the first one there and trust me we did everything
humanly possible to save her!! I’m not ok, but she is right here keeping me
going. I made her a promise that if this didn’t go well that I would make sure
and do good with it…”
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