High-speed racer and Mythbusters star Jessi Combs. Photo / Instagram
High-speed racer and Mythbusters star Jessi Combs. Photo / Instagram
TV host and jet-car speed racer Jessi Combs, known by fans as the "fastest woman on four wheels," has died in a crash in Oregon's Alvord Desert while trying to break a speed record.
The 39-year-old, who came to New Zealand four years ago, was trying to beat her own land-speed record. Details of the horror crash have not been released yet.
The first person at the crash scene was team member and friend Terry Madden who confirmed her death on Wednesday morning in an Instagram post.
"She was the most amazing spirit that I have ever or will ever know," Madden wrote. "Unfortunately we lost her yesterday in a horrific accident, I was the first one there and trust me we did everything humanly possible to save her!!"
Combs was widely known in the niche sport of jet-car racing and was attempting to break the Women's Land Speed Record of 823kmh set in 1976 by Kitty O'Neil when she died. Jet cars are race cars propelled by jet engines.
She currently held the record as the fastest woman on four wheels — O'Neil piloted a three-wheeled vehicle — for a 640.5kmh performance in 2013 and had driven even faster in follow-up runs, but mechanical problems prevented those from making the record books.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, Combs indicated that she hoped to break O'Neil's record in the Oregon desert.
She wrote, "It may seem a little crazy to walk directly into the line of fire ... those who are willing, are those who achieve great things.
In a statement, Combs' family said her "most notable dream was being the fastest woman on Earth."
"Jessi was known for her bright smile, positivity, and tenacious pursuit of the fulfilment of her dreams.
"Her drive was infectious, and she served as a role model for young girls, and women around the world. People that loved her and followed her became family, all bonded together by adventure and passion."
Jessi was a smiling, energetic, vibrant part of the Ultra4 family. We are in shock. Below is a statement released by...
Combs, who was born in Rapid City, South Dakota and lived in Long Beach, California, dabbled in snowboarding earlier in life and was also an accomplished artist and craftswoman, according to a biography on North American Eagle, her racing team.
She studied automotive design and fabrication and appeared as a host on Spike TV's Extreme 4X4 before a freak accident with a piece of heavy machinery that broke her spine.
After months of rehabilitation, Combs recovered and appeared on and guest hosted a number of TV shows, including Discovery Channel's Mythbusters while honing her skills as a professional driver for movies and commercials.
Combs came out to New Zealand four years ago as part of a Women in Motorsport promotion.
