THUNDERBOLT III (TB3)
'STEAM' ROCKET CAR

Amazingly simple, visually spectacular, TB3 is capable of well over 300 mph runs in the quarter mile at half power(Rocket engine cover and windshield removed in this photo).

A once-in-a-lifetime advertising opportunity; THE RESTORATION AND REVIVAL OF THE THUNDERBOLT ROCKET POWERED STEAM ROCKET CAR! (THUNDERBOLT III, OR TB3)

The rocket powered quarter mile race cars were the fastest type of race track vehicle ever built. Those cars had so much 'direct thrust' power that they could beat any conventional or jet powered racer from point A to point B, known as elapsed time, or E.T. The miles per hour shown at the end of a run are interesting, but inconsequential. However, a car called 'VANISHING POINT' was reputed to have been driven by a guy named "Slammin" Sammy Miller at well over 400 mph in the quarter mile. This was an H2O2 powered rocket.

WHEN ROCKET CARS RAN, FANS WENT WILD

The Thunderbolt rocket car, TB3, is certain to be a major draw, if not the highlight of any auto exhibition. And TB3 could certainly thrill the crowds at drag races and air shows simply by doing exhibition runs. Lastly, the car is so unique that television exposure is virtually assured, along with articles in motorsports magazines, and magazines such as Popular Mechanics and Popular Science. It would required finding someone with substantial racing experience, with the personality to be a good 'product ambassador'. Judging by the unsolicited interest expressed so far by qualified individuals, this should be no problem at all.

So, Where have all the rocket cars gone?

The story goes that the sole producer of very high purity hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) quit making it because their biggest customer was an oil company that was using a very powerful surface mounted rocket for substrate fracturing for heavy oil recovery. Supposedly, the oil company had a well casing explode because the peroxide fuel failed to work properly, and then exploded in mass, on contact with other organic matter (oil) at the bottom of the oil well. Consequently, the oil company sued, won the lawsuit, and the manufacturer quit making pure hydrogen peroxide. It is worth noting that human beings are made from organic matter, and will instantly burst into flame upon contact with pure hydrogen peroxide. This is really not my cup of tea. Safety must always be the first and foremost consideration.

SAFETY FIRST: THE INVENTOR OF THE POLARIS (SUBMARINE) MISSLE CONCEPT and former President of the American Rocket Society, Bob Truax had this to say about the steam rocket in general was that "steam rockets are a whole MAGNITUDE OF ORDER safer than any other type of rocket". The main point is: TB3 runs on ordinary water.

THUNDERBOLT III (TB3) PROGRESS REPORT: Over 90% of the restoration and updating with modern safety features, such as state- of-the-art disc brakes on all wheels, etc., has been completed exclusively with private funds, and the efforts of volunteers. We now feel the time is right to seek an appropriate sponsor to provide the modest funds needed to complete this project. We already know that the public reaction to the TB3 rocket care is incredibly positive…and why not? It uses water as a propellant, creates no pollution, costs almost nothing to run, has almost zero maintenance, and is potentially the fastest working track racer in the entire world of motorsports. It has done 318 mph at half power.

SO WHY DO SO MANY COMPANIES, LARGE AND SMALL, SPONSOR VARIOUS RACING ACTIVITIES? Because its fun, builds a customer base, and has proven to be consistently effective at selling products and services

. The bottom line? Sponsoring the TB3 rocket car is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we truly believe offers the biggest 'bang for the buck; in advertising today. This is a fun and exciting program that we feel certain can have a very positive impact on your companies profits for many years to come.

THUNDERBOLT III (TB3) RESTORATION THE RACE CAR TODAY - The basic frame geometry has been retained but much strengthened, including new roll cage. It is worth noting that the pressure vessel is very rugged, and is something of a super roll cage in itself. Changes/improvements include:

Ø New axles front and rear. Ø New brakes. Ø New wheels and tires. Ø New steering mechanism. Ø Nose canard wing and weight canister added to hold nose down at high speed. One earlier version (reported by observer turbojet driver Doug Rose) left the ground at about 318 mph and crashed - then was rebuilt. (No one was injured.) Ø New safety belts and modified attachments tgo meet NHRA rules. Ø Car painted white. Ø Anti-sloshing baffles being added for safer control.

SPECIFICATIONS

The Truax Rocket

The steam or hot water rocket is in most respects by far more suited to amateur experiments than any other. It is not only the safest of any at all times, but prior to beginning of launching operations is absolutely safe.

The suitability of the hot water rocket lies in its ability to deliver astounding performance without the use of any dangerous chemicals. Moreover, the basic rocket is the essence of simplicity. The hot water rocket makes use of the fact that water, if kept under pressure, can be heated far beyond its normal boiling temperature of 212 °F. For example in a container under 500 pounds per square inch pressure, water can be heated to some 475°F. If a hole is made in the container, the water will be forced out, a portion of it flashing into steam in escaping to the atmosphere. Inside the container, the water will also boil, and the steam so created will replace the water forced out and will tend to maintain the pressure. The escaping mixture of steam and water, if expanded through a suitable nozzle, will reach a velocity of about 1,500 feet per second. The reaction of this jet will drive a well built rocket to supersonic speed.

Incidentally, an Associated Press article on page 3A of the September 5, 1999, Eugene, Oregon Sunday Register Guard, about the Knieval jump (by Dan Gallagher) notes that after 25 years, the Twin Falls Perrine Bridge Visitors Center (site of the jump) still receives about 50,000 visitors a year, and that people in Europe, and all around the world still remember the event.

So, with Thunderbolt III, we not only have the most sophisticated of the steam rockets ever built, but we inherit a worldwide curiosity about this technology, which incidentally could be used to power other race cars, and as yet undreamed of applications.

Note: The Thunderbolt rocket car ran 260 mph at 200 psi (pounds per square inch) and 318 mph at 250 psi, according to the 'Green Mamba" jet car driver Doug Rose. It was driven by Duane