US Stuntman breaks jump world record

By Paul Bond

31st May 2011

It looks totally surreal - a lifesize car attempting to jump from a ten-story Hot Wheels ramp across the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - but that's exactly what stunt driver Tanner Faust did last Sunday, setting a new world record in the process.

The jump, orgainised as part of the celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Indy 500 race, saw Faust drop into the ramp at an acute angle before flying over 101 meters, landing on two wheels before skidding to a standstill in the gravel traps.

Watch the stunning video of the World Record leap:

That beat the previous ramp-to-ramp record jump by 9.5 metres, partly thanks to a heavily modified suspension setup and several weeks of training leading up to the stunt.