Archive for the ‘Automotive’ Category
Rhys Millen to Attempt Truck Backflip at Red Bull Event
Seconds before the clock strikes midnight (ET) on New Year’s Eve, motorsports star Rhys Millen will attempt to become the first person to complete and land a backflip in an off-road truck.
The event titled Red Bull: New Year. No Limits. is set to take place at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and will be televised live on ESPN/ESPN HD (11:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. PT).
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| Rhys Millen practices for the first-ever backflip in an off-road truck |
Click to view larger image |
Millen’s flip demands the truck to travel a distance of 80 feet at a height of 50 feet. During his final practice for the event last year, Millen overshot the landing, got injured and damaged his vehicle as well.
However, the 36-year-old New Zealand native is said to be fully recovered now and more determined than ever.
“Having the opportunity and support to attempt the first-ever backflip in a truck is only going to be sweeter knowing that I will be returning back to the Rio, the place I planned to attempt this last year and the birth place of Red Bull: New Year. No Limits,” said Millen.
Fans will recall that the 2005 Formula Drift champion and 2008 Red Bull Drifting World Championship winner was also the lead stunt driver in several commercials and movies, such as Dukes of Hazzard and Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift.
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CUTTLEKIDS OFF ROAD DIES MOTORCYCLE TRUCK US $7.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 7:21:24 PST Bid on this Item | Watch this Item |
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New ARB Old man emu 4wd stickers car truck offroad 4wd US $4.99 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 8:10:07 PST Bid on this Item | Watch this Item |
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SHAKE N GO SEMI,2-OFF ROAD TRUCKS-CRUSHER,MUD EATER US $10.49 (2 Bids) Auction Ends: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 8:29:50 PST Bid on this Item | Watch this Item |
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Mud Bogger Truck 4x4 Offroad Decals Decal 046M Black US $24.95 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 8:32:49 PST Bid on this Item | Buy this Item | Watch this Item |
Unique Head Protection Airbag for Convertibles Unveiled
TRW Automotive GmbH, Germany, has unveiled a new head protection system for convertibles. Located in the seat mount rather than the door trim, it’s designed to offer head protection for the unique characteristics of convertibles.
The system combines a thorax or pelvic-thorax module together with a head restraint module located in the upper seat-back.
“TRW’s head protection system for convertibles has an innovative product design with two separate airbag safety systems for both head and torso protection,” said Alexander Heilig, European engineering director for TRW Automotive’s Occupant Safety Systems. “The two systems are designed to deploy in the event of a side impact or rollover accident. They work independently to allow individual tuning of the different protection zones yet operate from common sensors.”
Both the head protection and thorax modules use a light-weight plastic housing, with the module located under the fabric and foam of the seat. The head restraint module works with a hybrid gas inflator that enables it to deploy rapidly and remain inflated for a longer duration than other traditional airbags.
Source: TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.