 An Interview With "Rocket Man"
Terry Wilmeth
World ATV Speed Record Holder
Interviewed February 10, 2007
by Chris Conrady
It's been a while since we've heard from Terry Wilmeth, the man who, a couple of years ago found a way to bolt a rocket engine onto his Raptor 660 and began the ultimate quest for ATV speed. Terry's Rocket Raptor video was one of the most viewed ATV videos to circulate on the internet and ultimately lead to Terry's successful quest for the world ATV Speed Record. So I thought it would be a good idea to see what the mad scientist of ATV propulsion, and ultimate champion of quad riders everywhere is up to.
So Terry, you worked for several years to set the ATV Speed Record, looking back, how did it feel and how did it change your existence?
It’s kind of surreal. Knowing Quads are not meant to go that fast, everything is sort of nerve racking but it doesn’t diminish the incredible adrenaline rush! As for changes, not really. There is a definite coolness factor to saying you’re the best on the planet at something.
What have you been up to since you set the ATV Speed Record of 149 mph?
Besides work, mostly dedicating my time to the passing of the Quadricycle Bill in Oregon. It’s being reviewed by the current legislative session and we hope it goes to committee [soon]. I also am spending some time doing pre-planning for Dunefest 2007……oh, did I mention the next speed record?
After getting close to your 150 target mark, you said that you thought you were up close to the physical limit of the vehicle, and were done trying to go faster, so what gives?
 Typical competitive drive. It really bugged me that we passed 150 on one run in 2005 but lost the rocket engine in order to back it up for an overall 150+ average. Then to be so close this year is really frustrating. We know our biggest hurdle is not the power available from the engine or the rocket pack, it’s the aerodynamics of the rolling chassis. Given the limits of our class, we have a lot going against us. We are very near the “wall”, but I think we can push through this year with some creative streamlining on the Raptor version 5.0.
 Is it true that anyone who holds a Guinness World Record gets a free pint of Guinness every time they go into a proper pub?
Yeah, I wish. I probably need to knock back a couple before the speed runs.
What about your competition? Do you have any or has anyone else come close to your mark?
A couple foreign teams have tried. Most recently, I learned Dahlback Racing of Sweden was building a purported 200mph Rappie. It was a bit amusing to see them struggling with the same aerodynamic issues we faced in 2005. But, we don’t want to see anyone get hurt, so we sent them some (not all-c’mon-it’s a competition after all) data from our experiences to help them refine their chassis geometry. Last I heard, they were facing the 150mph wall with the same results we had. I am not aware of anyone in the U.S. trying, but I do know that another Oregon based company may be on the verge of a 170mph land speeder very soon.
 Your daughter Natalie climbed on board to set the Woman's ATV speed record as well. Does she have any plans to go for another attempt? Do you have any other family members who have the speed demon gene?
She definitely wants the ultimate record, but I am still not sure I am ready to let her try. She’s an incredibly instinctive rider and can handle the bike at high speed, I just don’t know that I can handle it. Time will tell. I do have a son that wants to try, but it ain’t happening. I’ve seen him try to manipulate kitchenware and nearly destroy the house in the process….nope, not happening.
What have you learned or changed since the development of RocketRaptor 3.0? What version are we on now?
Technically, version 5.0. We skipped one version that was dedicated to pure R&D and never made a run at the record. The new Rappie is loosely based on the 700R. It has been lowered, strengthened, lengthened, narrowed and features some aerodynamic refinements not seen on earlier versions. We still have a lot of work left to do before it’s done. We are waiting to see if Guinness buys off on the mods and still qualify us in the ATV category. The new rocket thruster will now sustain a longer duration thrust. The convergent/divergent angles have been altered (secret) for better power output and the injectors are improved.
 This all started because you came into possession of a rocket engine. Have you looked at any other alternative propulsion system and how is that going?
We still wonder why we’re playing with rockets, but it is the best source of forward thrust that is not stressful to the chassis and drivetrain at high speed. We studied and played with pulse jet technology, but it is cumbersome and did not produce enough thrust to weight. We even looked into a gas turbine, but that was way too much trouble and money.
So what can all the Rocket Raptor fans look forward to? What's Next?
I was kinda thinking the highest altitude and freefall for an ATV. I thought it would be cool if I drove the Rappie of the back of a C-130 at 30,000 feet……………NOT! Actually, if all goes well, we hope to shoot for a 170mph record this summer in the Oregon desert. We still have a lot to overcome, but we have learned a lot and have some new ideas to incorporate into the bike. After that, I can pretty much say I am done. Anything more than 170 on an ATV is plain ol’ suicidal in my opinion. It would take an entirely new chassis concept to do it safely.
Anything else that you would like to ad?
Well, one thing I always try to pass on is the whole safety aspect of this record chasing stuff. I get a lot of feedback that 149mph doesn’t seem that fast. Well, for NASCAR or NHRA, it’s not. But it needs to be understood that it’s an ATV record. For this category, the wheels are no more than 20 inches across, the rolling chassis has to be less than 48 inches wide and 70 inches long and there can be no fairing or wheel covers. So, to go 150mph on twenty inch wheels, the engine actually has to turn at the equivalent of over 200mph if it was, say, a motorcycle platform. It is incredibly stressful to the drivetrain and motor. Plus, to cut through the air at those speeds on an ATV body is very very dangerous without proper reinforcement and modifications. So, please, don’t try this at home.
Our thanks goes out to Rocket Man Terry Wilmeth, not only for all that he has accomplished in Alba's name, but for what he really has done and what he represents for the ATV enthusiest. His true passion for the sport and ability to always find a way through obsticals has helped to create a better riding environment for everyone. |
