In a remarkable display of DIY ingenuity, a Canadian father has accomplished what seemed like an impossible feat – building a jet-powered Ferrari dragster right in his backyard garage. This awe-inspiring creation, named ‘Insanity,’ is a homage to the Ferrari Enzo and boasts two massive Rolls-Royce jet engines, truly living up to its name.
The mastermind behind this incredible project is Ryan McQueen, an ordinary man without any formal engineering or mechanic training. The journey began in 2004 when he witnessed a jet-powered dragster for the first time, an experience that ignited his passion and changed the course of his life forever.
Undeterred by his lack of expertise, McQueen set forth on a 17-year odyssey to create his very own jet-fueled supercar. Armed with determination and a wealth of online tutorials, he started crafting the car’s body using wood, styrofoam, fiberglass, and body filler. Teaching himself welding techniques, he meticulously fabricated the chassis to accommodate the monstrous jet engines.
The process was arduous, taking two years to build the steel tube frame and an additional five years to complete the fiberglass body. McQueen’s determination and passion paid off as he managed to turn his vision into reality.
The finished homemade dragster is a sight to behold, measuring 6.4 meters (21 feet) in length and 2.3 meters (7.8 feet) in width. Holding a staggering 400 liters of fuel, it can burn through all that fuel in under three minutes, a mind-boggling comparison to a conventional car’s fuel consumption on a cross-country trip.
The power this DIY marvel generates is equally astonishing. With an estimated 18,000 horsepower under its hood, it packs the energy equivalent of 39 Corvettes. The car is said to reach a top speed of 640 km/h (400 mph), making it even faster than the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, the first street-legal car to break the 300 mph barrier.
The speed it attains is not for the faint-hearted, as it can subject the driver to an astounding 4 Gs of force. To ensure a safe return, the dragster is equipped with two parachutes that kick in when needed, recording a negative 5 Gs.
