Stan Barrett
Encyclopedia
Stan Barrett is a Hollywood stuntman
, stunt coordinator
and actor
. His biggest act was however outside the movie world. On 17 December 1979, he attempted to break the Land Speed Record
, and the sound barrier
in the Budweiser Rocket
rocket-powered three-wheel vehicle. His calculated speed was 739.666 miles per hour, (Mach 1.01), which would have made Barrett the first man to break the sound barrier
in a land vehicle. The attempt was surrounded by controversy and the speed was never officially recorded. Barrett also raced in 19 Winston Cup series races between 1980 and 1990, posting two top ten finishes.
, another Hollywood stuntman
, and sponsored by Budweiser
, the Budweiser Rocket
was built with the intention of being the first land vehicle to break the sound barrier. The 3-wheeler was powered by a hybrid liquid and solid-fuel rocket
engine. The solid fuel booster engine essentially came from a Sidewinder
missile.
At Rogers Dry Lake
on Edwards AFB the vehicle, driven by Stan Barrett, made on 17 December 1979, an attempt to break the sound barrier
. The claimed speed of 739.666 mph, equalling Mach
1.01, was never officially recorded. The wide scepticism which surrounds the attempt, relates to the measuring method and that no independent authority was sanctioning the attempt. The lack of sonic boom
during the attempt also suggests against the claim, as well as the lack of visible shockwave.
. Between his movie commitments, Barrett found time to race in 19 Winston Cup series races, during the 1980s. Barrett posted two top ten finishes, running his last race in 1990.
In 2008, at age 65, he made a surprising return to stock car racing. His son Stanton Barrett
running Chevrolet's in the second tier Nationwide series, invited Stan to run beside him in the SBM Motorsports team. After an abortive attempt at Mexico City, Stan later qualified for the Montreal and Watkins Glen
races. He was forced to retire in both of them.
He has been stunt doubling and stunt coordinating for many of Hollywood actors in films such as: When Time Ran Out..., and Smokey and the Bandit
who is also a Hollywood stuntman, and also a racing driver. He is the godson of Paul Newman
, and the grandson of Dave McCoy and Roma McCoy, the founders of Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort.http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1149331/1/index.htm
Stunt double
A stunt double is a type of body double, specifically a skilled replacement used for dangerous film or video sequences, in movies and television , and for other sophisticated stunts...
, stunt coordinator
Stunt coordinator
A stunt coordinator, usually an experienced stunt performer, is hired by a TV, film or theatre director or production company to arrange the casting and performance of stunts for a film, television programme or a live audience...
and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. His biggest act was however outside the movie world. On 17 December 1979, he attempted to break the Land Speed Record
Land speed record
The land speed record is the highest speed achieved by a wheeled vehicle on land. There is no single body for validation and regulation; in practice the Category C flying start regulations are used, officiated by regional or national organizations under the auspices of the Fédération...
, and the sound barrier
Sound barrier
The sound barrier, in aerodynamics, is the point at which an aircraft moves from transonic to supersonic speed. The term, which occasionally has other meanings, came into use during World War II, when a number of aircraft started to encounter the effects of compressibility, a collection of several...
in the Budweiser Rocket
Budweiser Rocket
As the sole operator and calibrator of the radar that actually tracked the Budweiser Rocket Car during the speed of sound run at Edwards AFB, I have noted some incorrect statements provided in this article by the original author....
rocket-powered three-wheel vehicle. His calculated speed was 739.666 miles per hour, (Mach 1.01), which would have made Barrett the first man to break the sound barrier
Sound barrier
The sound barrier, in aerodynamics, is the point at which an aircraft moves from transonic to supersonic speed. The term, which occasionally has other meanings, came into use during World War II, when a number of aircraft started to encounter the effects of compressibility, a collection of several...
in a land vehicle. The attempt was surrounded by controversy and the speed was never officially recorded. Barrett also raced in 19 Winston Cup series races between 1980 and 1990, posting two top ten finishes.
Land Speed Record
In an effort led by Hal NeedhamHal Needham
Hal Needham is an American stuntman and film director.-Early years:Needham was born in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Edith May and Howard Needham. He was raised in Arkansas and Missouri...
, another Hollywood stuntman
Stuntman
A stuntman or stunt performer is someone who performs dangerous stunts.Stuntman may also refer to:*The Stunt Man, a 1980 film starring Peter O'Toole*Stuntman , a 2002 video game**Stuntman: Ignition, its sequel...
, and sponsored by Budweiser
Budweiser
Budweiser is a German adjective describing something or someone from the city of České Budějovice in Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic.Beer brewing in České Budějovice dates back to the 13th century...
, the Budweiser Rocket
Budweiser Rocket
As the sole operator and calibrator of the radar that actually tracked the Budweiser Rocket Car during the speed of sound run at Edwards AFB, I have noted some incorrect statements provided in this article by the original author....
was built with the intention of being the first land vehicle to break the sound barrier. The 3-wheeler was powered by a hybrid liquid and solid-fuel rocket
Rocket
A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction...
engine. The solid fuel booster engine essentially came from a Sidewinder
Sidewinder
Sidewinder may refer to:* Crotalus cerastes, a venomous pit-viper species found in the southwestern United StatesIn military and aviation* AIM-9 Sidewinder, a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile...
missile.
At Rogers Dry Lake
Rogers Dry Lake
Rogers Dry Lake is an endorheic desert salt pan in the Mojave Desert of Kern County, California. The lake derives its name from the Anglicization from the Spanish name, Rodriguez Dry Lake. It is the central part of Edwards Air Force Base as its hard surface provides a natural extension to the...
on Edwards AFB the vehicle, driven by Stan Barrett, made on 17 December 1979, an attempt to break the sound barrier
Sound barrier
The sound barrier, in aerodynamics, is the point at which an aircraft moves from transonic to supersonic speed. The term, which occasionally has other meanings, came into use during World War II, when a number of aircraft started to encounter the effects of compressibility, a collection of several...
. The claimed speed of 739.666 mph, equalling Mach
Mach number
Mach number is the speed of an object moving through air, or any other fluid substance, divided by the speed of sound as it is in that substance for its particular physical conditions, including those of temperature and pressure...
1.01, was never officially recorded. The wide scepticism which surrounds the attempt, relates to the measuring method and that no independent authority was sanctioning the attempt. The lack of sonic boom
Sonic boom
A sonic boom is the sound associated with the shock waves created by an object traveling through the air faster than the speed of sound. Sonic booms generate enormous amounts of sound energy, sounding much like an explosion...
during the attempt also suggests against the claim, as well as the lack of visible shockwave.
NASCAR
The publicity gained from the attempt, took Barrett to NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
. Between his movie commitments, Barrett found time to race in 19 Winston Cup series races, during the 1980s. Barrett posted two top ten finishes, running his last race in 1990.
In 2008, at age 65, he made a surprising return to stock car racing. His son Stanton Barrett
Stanton Barrett
Stanton Thomas Barrett is a NASCAR driver and Hollywood stuntman. He has driven in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series, as well in the IZOD IndyCar Series.-NASCAR:...
running Chevrolet's in the second tier Nationwide series, invited Stan to run beside him in the SBM Motorsports team. After an abortive attempt at Mexico City, Stan later qualified for the Montreal and Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen can refer to:* Watkins Glen, New York, a village in New York state* Watkins Glen International, a race course near the village* Watkins Glen State Park, a state park in Watkins Glen, New York...
races. He was forced to retire in both of them.
Stuntman career
He has worked as a stuntman since the 1960s in motion pictures and television series http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0057286/.He has been stunt doubling and stunt coordinating for many of Hollywood actors in films such as: When Time Ran Out..., and Smokey and the Bandit
Smokey and the Bandit
Smokey and the Bandit is a 1977 American film starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Pat McCormick, Paul Williams, and Mike Henry. It inspired several other trucking films, including two sequels, Smokey and the Bandit II, and Smokey and the Bandit Part 3...
Family
His son Stanton BarrettStanton Barrett
Stanton Thomas Barrett is a NASCAR driver and Hollywood stuntman. He has driven in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series, as well in the IZOD IndyCar Series.-NASCAR:...
who is also a Hollywood stuntman, and also a racing driver. He is the godson of Paul Newman
Paul Newman
Paul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, professional racing driver and auto racing enthusiast...
, and the grandson of Dave McCoy and Roma McCoy, the founders of Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort.http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1149331/1/index.htm
External links
- http://www.speedace.info/budweiser_rocket_car.htm
- http://www.scenedaily.com/news/articles/nationwideseries/Stanton_Barrett_hires_his_dad_Stan_Barrett_to_drive_this_weekend.html
- http://www.roadsters.com/bud/
- http://www.scenedaily.com/news/articles/nationwideseries/Barretts_father_wont_qualify_in_Mexico_City.html