Green Mamba crashes in the UP

mrvids

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https://www.yahoo.com/sports/legendary-80-old-green-mamba-231418261.html
U.S.
Legendary 80-year-old ‘Green Mamba’ jet car drag racer Doug Rose dies in crash
Associated Press,NBC Sports 11 hours ago
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Authorities say a longtime drag racer died after crashing his jet engine-powered car at a track in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Editor’s note: For a touching story about Doug Rose, his legacy, the triumphs and tragedies of his career — including losing both feet and ankles in a crash over 50 years ago, as well as his car being stolen over 10 years ago — click here for a great tribute by AutoWeek’s Steven Cole Smith.

NORWAY, Mich. (AP) — Authorities say a longtime drag racer died after crashing his jet engine-powered car at a track in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The Iron Mountain Daily News and WLUC-TV report 80-year-old Doug Rose, driver of the Green Mamba, died Friday evening at the Norway Speedway. Rose, of Ringtown, Pennsylvania, crashed into a guardrail and flipped during an exhibition run.

The newspaper reports Rose drove the Green Mamba for more than 35 years. The car with an engine from a fighter plane could drive in excess of 300 mph (483 kph).

Michigan State Police say the crash is under investigation. Races were suspended Friday and resumed Saturday.
 
If I have to die at 80 years old, having a jet engine strapped to my ass while going 300 miles an hour is a great way to go.
 
The video is online. Sad, doesn't look to be going that fast but the way he sits in the car anything that hits in the front is him first. So sad.
 
My understanding from reading about this incident is that Doug Rose had been doing exhibitions at this track for years. Drive around the track doing a few burner pops and at the end of the night burn up a car. There is some speculation that he may have suffered a medical emergency that caused the crash. As was mentioned here it sure didn't look like he was going that fast.

May he rest in peace. I remember seeing him at Detroit Dragway years ago. While the hard core drag racers don't like them I always thought that the jets were pretty wild.

https://autoweek.com/article/other-motorsports/snake-charmer-green-mamba-pilot-doug-rose-killed-jet-car-crash-age-80
 
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