Svarthålet Racing - Fastest run ever!

Update: On Speed Weekend on Ice 2017 we improved our results a bit. The average speed was 241 km/h and top speed (according to GPS logger) was 246 km/h.
Making our fastest run ever with our pulsejet powered "snowmobile". Our goal was 200 kmph (124 mph). The final average on flying km (0.62 miles) was 232 kmph (144 mph) with a top speed of 241 kmph (150 mph).
The race took place at the Speed Weekend on Ice event, arranged by Swedish Landracing organization (landracing.se) in Årsunda.
Check us out at Instagram (svarthaletracing)
#svarthåletracing

[@Andy-qo6rq]

Omg my Nan used to say how bad the noise was in the blitz when the flying bombs came over from France during the Second World War. The thrust on that is amazing. It’s on my Christmas list. Please put some wings on it next time. 👍 if you need a pilot call me 😂

[@LinusNil]

Yes I heard these stories too. I really hope no survivor of the war has been traumatized by this silly thing.

[@garyweaver317]

I use to have blue prints of the original V1 engine. I built and tested a lot of smaller engines in my work shop. I have a lathe, mill, 2 welders. I wanted to build a full size V1 engine some day but 1986 the FEDS came with a search warrant and too everything I had. About 2010 I long interest in pulse jet engines. I have 10 or 12 good running engines I would like to sell.

[@Fan119]

Looks like a parachute is on the list of things needed for next time too.

[@LinusNil]

Indeed!

[@rickydrone9274]

I was thinking the same. But, on that slick surface, wouldn't a drag chute deployment spin the whole sled around?

[@soulcapitalist6204]

@@rickydrone9274 A parachute should keep it straight.

[@weldion]

Grattis! Riktigt roligt att se det gå så bra.

[@LinusNil]

+weldion Tack själv! Vi är väldigt nöjda, och lite överraskade, med/av bedriften. Nästa år blir det 250!

[@jeanettewest]

That's dam fast with a red hot rocket between your legs.

[@joshuawarner5316]

Y'all are crazy. If the jet's thrust is 2kn, then the top speed, without ground friction but including wind resistance should be something like 200 mph.

[@LinusNil]

+Joshua Warnasch Maybe. I got the feeling from those runs that 155 mph would be about maximum, but on a longer straight and with perfect ice it might be more.

[@marcs2221]

N(O)ICE :D ! you dragged the sh.t out of that thing !!! Absolutely amazing.. You said on one website that you have some Cat553's.. got one left :D ???

[@waynemetevia7983]

A jet engine on a snowmobile? Why am I surprised? That's crazy. Oh well, on second thought, why not? They do after all put them on just about everything else. Cars, motorcycles, etc.

[@paulbizard3493]

Can he go faster than 241km/h? I mean did he voluntarily stopped the engine?

[@LinusNil]

This is more or less max with this setup. We have reached speeds of about 260 kmph, but the speed is depending on a lot of factors so it varies a bit from run to run. Usually we never shut down before the end of the track unless something feels really wrong.

[@morphman21]

Why the old fashion siren before firing up the snowmobile?

[@LinusNil]

Why not? Also, it is a very good reminder for people to cover their ears.

[@siouxunit17]

Pulse jets are loud as fuck make the siren sound like a prius horn

[@mightyfinejonboy]

That was ridiculously fast !! Is nitrous oxide an option to find extra performance?

[@LinusNil]

+mightyfinejonboy I'm not sure. I am pretty sure though that the engine will fail even quicker =)

[@mightyfinejonboy]

+LinusNil Would an alcohol and water mix alongside nitrous, increase the mass flow and keep the temps under control? Would be quite some volume needing to be injected!!

[@LinusNil]

+mightyfinejonboy Increasing mass flow has crossed our minds. First thing to try would be plain water. But as you mentioned, we would probably need to bring a LOT of water with us :)

[@TheErilaz]

+LinusNil Perhaps a trust augmentor is a viable option. It can add 1.8 to 2 times the thrust. For those who aren't familiar with pulsejet lore, an augmentor is a kind of 'special purpose venturi' placed in the hot exhaust stream. Its sole purpose is to capture cool air from around the engine and mix it with the hot gases in the exhaust stream to increase the stream mass in order to develop extra thrust force. If properly designed, this can be shown to increase thrust significantly.

[@LinusNil]

Yes we have thought about that. Maybe we will try that in the future. :)

[@saltygamer5042]

And a bigger stance on the ice. I suggest a ski at each corner extended out about 3ft with independent suspension for each one. Make them aerodynamic

[@LinusNil]

James Miller there are a lot of things to improve. In order to go much faster we should make a completely new chassis to minimize the front area.

[@1metiz]

Absolutely fucking awesome! Are you guys going to ramp it up even further for next year?

[@LinusNil]

We take that as a compliment! I think a bigger engine is out of the question because this is the largest we could go without completely rebuilding the chassis. We will probably have a look at aerodynamics and front skis because these are not in the very best condition. I am also thinking a lot about a possible next project. One idea is another sled powered by a turbo-prop. We have a Boeing/Cat 553 gas turbine which would be perfect for that.

[@thejohhny2943]

what's the thrust of this engine?

[@LinusNil]

About 2200 N in stationary tests. Likely higher at speed because of ram pressure.

[@neyxos]

Hey DICE ! :)

[@bogomir67]

Is the engine based on the Argus design?

[@LinusNil]

Not really. Rather inspired by it. The valve grid is pretty similar, even though we put a lot of effort into improve it to make it more serviceable.

[@bogomir67]

***** I understand. The original was made stamping sheet steel, and only for one run... Do you also have only two throttle settings (half and full)? The video seems to suggest that. Anyway - I think it is one thing to buid something like that, and quite another to sit on it at 240km/h!!!!

[@LinusNil]

There are six fuel pumps, and two of them are separately controlled by a push button at the handle bar. So you are right; there are two settings. On four pumps we have about 50% thrust. There are actually some analog valves mounted to the chassis below the handle bar for fine adjustment. As you can see during some of the starts we fine tune a bit before setting of to maximize the thrust. During last run I actually tuned a little while running. Not very pleasant though since you have to let go of the handle bar with one hand...

[@LinusNil]

Thanks by the way. Riding it is quite an experience!

[@bogomir67]

***** At least the sled looks bit like a vehicle. Not like that turbine thing, which is just two bent rails and a ... well heated seat!!! ;-) Do you have any new plans? Like a twin engine version ;-p

[@bolotovdan]

The guy actually has balls of steel

[@LinusNil]

Well, I don't know about that. But it they where, 253ma would be the material of choice (like the engine) :)

[@papakrakazyabrika]

👍👍👍💥💥💥👍👍👍

[@MatsNorway]

Can you guys make a svarthålet racing account on YT?

[@LinusNil]

Mats Norway Hi Mats. That has been up for discussion and it is probably a good idea. It will however give us yet another social media to take care of and at this point we kind of have enough already. Do you have any particular reason asking for it? Tired of notifications of new videos that are not of your interest on this channel? :)

[@thec798]

Holy Crap! WOW!

[@LinusNil]

THE C Yeah, it's a bit "special" to say the least. We have actually broke this record a little this winter. New top speed is 246 kmph and average is 240 kmph.

[@apismellifera1000]

150 MPH is pretty fast.

[@redstedman]

Sleds do that in the 1/4 mile.

[@LinusNil]

Do what? 0-250 kmph? Yes, some may do. And they are equipped with modern engines, not ancient crap that no one (except for us) really use any more :)

[@sudragon2k3]

Pagin Coliin Furze. Colin Furze please pick up the jet powered customer phone.