This is one of the craziest stunts I’ve ever seen – the video shows a Volvo truck and trailer launching off a ramp at high speed and jumping over the top of a moving Lotus F1 car.
Computer data storage company EMC2 decided that they’d showcase their partnership with the Lotus F1 team by arranging this spectacular feat and as if pulling a stunt like this wasn’t enough, they went and broke the world record for the longest truck and trailer jump while they were at it – which now stands at a whopping 83 feet and 7inches.
Greg Gotts the Creative VP at EMC said “The purpose of the stunt is to show just what the EMC and Lotus F1 team partnership is capable of. It really is an epic attempt at a world record and we’re proud to be partners with the Lotus F1 team.”
The stunt which filmed in the UK, was meticulously planned over several months by a team of stunt men and safety experts. The distance, height and speed the truck would be travelling at were carefully worked out to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
The Volvo truck used for the jump – driven by stuntman Mike Ryan – was designed and prepared by engineers specifically with this stunt in mind. For example the vehicles interior was stripped back to ensure there were no flammable items in the cab and a special seat was installed to deal with the impact of landing. The driver of the Lotus F1 car was also a trained stuntman.