Car jump on 402 meters - this is not a scene from a science fiction film, but a real record set in 2018. The achievement, which still remains unbeaten, was the result of many years of calculations, engineering solutions and the desperate courage of the pilot. But how exactly did you manage to overcome a distance comparable to the length of four football fields? And why has no one dared to repeat this trick over the past six years?
In this article we will look at technical details record, analyze the physics of car flight, compare with previous achievements and evaluate whether a new record is possible in the near future. You will also find out what modifications needed for the car, why the choice fell on a specific model, and what risks carried such experiments for the crew.
Spoiler: it's not just "speed up and jump." Behind every meter of this flight there are years of preparation, tons of metal and seconds that could be the last.
Who and when set the record of 402 meters?
The author of the record was Greg Godfrey is an American stuntman and professional racer specializing in extreme stunts. He made his historic leap March 25, 2018 at a test site in California, USA. The car driven by Godfrey flew 402.3 meters (1,320 feet), beating the previous record by almost 100 meters.
For comparison: the previous achievement belonged to Tanner Faustle, which in 2011 jumped to Subaru WRX STI on 279 meters. The 123 meter gap demonstrates just how ambitious Godfrey's project was.
- 📅 Record date: March 25, 2018
- 🚗 Car: Toyota Tacoma (special modification)
- 📏 Jump distance: 402.3 meters (1,320 ft)
- 💨 Starting speed: ~160 km/h
Fun fact: Godfrey was no stranger to such tricks. Behind him is participation in Formula Drift, endurance racing and many stunt projects for Hollywood. However, even for him this jump was the most difficult in his career.
What car was used for the record?
The base for the record was chosen Toyota Tacoma - a pickup truck known for its reliability and frame strength. However, the production version was in no way suitable for jumping 400+ meters. Company engineers Hoonigan Industries (known for projects with Ken Block) completely redesigned the car:
- 🔧 Reinforced frame: additional stiffening ribs and a safety cage similar to racing cars have been added.
- ⚙️ Engine: standard
3.5L V6was forced to 800+ hp due to turbocharging and a modified injection system. - 🪂 Aerodynamics: Spoilers and anti-wings are installed for stabilization in flight (inspired by aviation technology).
- 🛩️ Chassis: pendant from Trophy Truck with wheel travel of more than 50 cm to withstand landing.
We paid special attention mass centering. To prevent the car from tumbling in the air, the tank was moved closer to the cabin, and the batteries were placed symmetrically. Even little things like fastening the seats were calculated taking into account G-loads up to 10g upon landing.
| Parameter | Standard Toyota Tacoma | Record version |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 278 hp | 800+ hp |
| Weight | ~2 tons | ~2.8 tons (with reinforcements) |
| Suspension | Standard | Trophy Truck (travel 50+ cm) |
| Aerodynamics | Missing | Wings and spoilers |
By the way, the car remained running after the jump! True, the drive had to be restored - the impact during landing broke the axle shafts.
Physics of the record: how did the car fly 402 meters?
To overcome such a distance, it is not enough to simply accelerate and jump. Engineers calculated three key factors:
- Springboard speed: ~160 km/h (100 mph). This is the minimum threshold to achieve the required range.
- Departure angle: 27–30 degrees. Less and the range won’t be enough, more and the car will overturn.
- Aerodynamic drag: The body shape has been optimized to reduce turbulence.
For visualization: the flight path resembled a parabola, like a projectile. The maximum height was ~25 meters, and the time in the air is about 4 seconds. At the same time, the pilot did not have the opportunity to correct the flight - everything depended on the initial calculations.
What would happen if there was an error of 1 degree?
At a departure angle of 26° (1° less than optimal), the range would be reduced to ~350 m. At 31° (1° more), the vehicle would tumble forward, risking the cabin crashing into the ground.
Critical moment - landing. The impact load at a speed of 140+ km/h and a weight of 2.8 tons is equivalent to falling from a 10-story building. To soften it, we used:
- 🛞 Special shock absorbers with progressive stiffness.
- 🔄 Suspension “bleeding” system (relieving pressure in shock absorbers a split second before impact).
- 🛠️ Reinforced tires BFGoodrich with low pressure (0.8 atm) to increase the contact patch.
⚠️ Attention: An attempt to repeat such a jump in an unprepared vehicle will result in instant death. Even at a speed of 100 km/h and a jump of 50 meters, the loads exceed the strength limits of production vehicles by 5–10 times.
Previous records: evolution of car jumps
Car jumping has a history of almost a century old. The first attempts were more like circus tricks, but since the 1970s it has become an engineering challenge. The table below shows the key milestones:
| Year | Pilot | Car | Range | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Kenny Powell | Chevrolet Camaro | 130 m | First jump using a springboard |
| 2002 | Jamie Bestwick | Ford Fiesta | 225 m | Jet booster used |
| 2011 | Tanner Faustl | Subaru WRX STI | 279 m | The record lasted 7 years |
| 2018 | Greg Godfrey | Toyota Tacoma | 402 m | Current absolute record |
An interesting trend: if in the 1970–2000s records were broken every 5–10 years, then after 2018 there were no new attempts. Why?
- 💰 Cost: Godfrey's project cost ~$500,000 (including testing and spare vehicles).
- 🛡️ Security: the risks for the pilot became unacceptably high.
- 📉 Lack of motivation: the record of 402 m seems to be the “ceiling” for automotive technology.
For comparison, the motorcycle jump record (433 meters, Robbie Maddison, 2008) has still not been broken for the same reasons.
Is it possible to break the 402 meter record today?
Theoretically, yes. In practice, it is a matter of money, technology and willingness to risk life. Here's what you'll need for a new record:
Increase engine power to 1000+ hp|Develop active aerodynamics (movable wings)|Use variable-angle ski jump|Run hundreds of virtual simulations on a supercomputer|Find a pilot with experience in aviation or rocketry-->
Main obstacles:
- Aerodynamic instability. At a speed of >180 km/h and a jump length of >450 m, the car will begin to rotate around its axis (yaw effect).
- Strength of materials. Modern alloys cannot withstand the stresses of landing from a height of >30 meters.
- Human factor. The pilot must withstand overloads of up to 12g (for comparison: astronauts experience 3–4g at launch).
There are also alternative approaches. For example, using hybrid systems (combination of wheeled chassis and jet propulsion) or driverless cars. However, this will no longer be a “pure” automobile record, but something between a car and a rocket.
⚠️ Attention: In 2022 the team Bloodhound LSR (known for speed records) announced plans to jump 500+ meters, but the project was frozen due to lack of funding. This proves that even for professionals the task remains overwhelming.
If you are interested in the topic of extreme automotive achievements, pay attention to the ice speed record (335 km/h at Bugatti Veyron) or jumping on snow scooters - there the risks are lower, and the entertainment is not inferior.
Where can you see the record-breaking car today?
After the historic leap Toyota Tacoma Greg Godfrey was not sent to a landfill or museum. It became part of a traveling exhibition Hoonigan Industries, which tours the US and Europe. In 2023, the car was shown at:
- 🏁 SEMA Show (Las Vegas) - the largest exhibition of tuned cars.
- 🎪 Goodwood Festival of Speed (UK) - festival of speed and extreme stunts.
- 📺 Filming for the YouTube channel Hoonigan (the video with technical details has received 10 million views).
Interesting fact: the dents from the landing are still visible on the body of the car - they were not specially restored to preserve the “battle scars”. The original instrument panel with a recorded speed of 161 km/h at the time of the jump also remained in the cabin.
If you want to see her live, follow the announcements on the website Hoonigan or on their social networks. Sometimes the car is brought to private events - for example, in 2026 it is planned to be shown at Monterey Car Week.
The record jump of 402 meters is not only an achievement of the pilot, but also a triumph of engineering. Without modern materials, computer modeling and the experience of racing teams, such a stunt would not have been possible.
The future of car records: what's next?
After 2018, the world of extreme automotive achievements has focused on other areas:
- 🚀 Speed records: the struggle to overcome the milestone in
500 km/hon wheeled vehicles (the current record is 495 km/h on ThrustSSC). - ⚡ Electric cars: jumping on Tesla or other EVs (currently the maximum range is 150 m due to the weight of the batteries).
- 🤖 Drone tricks: experiments with autopilots in extreme conditions (for example, drifting without a driver).
However, the idea of breaking the 402 meter record did not die. In 2023 the company Traxxas (manufacturer of radio-controlled models) announced a project to jump on 1000 feet (~305 m)... but on a miniature car in 1:10 scale. This proves that even in a reduced form the task remains difficult.
When it comes to full-size cars, experts agree that the next record will require:
- Uses hybrid engines (combination of internal combustion engine and electricity for instant acceleration).
- Applications artificial intelligence to adjust the trajectory in flight.
- Creatures special springboards with an adaptive surface (changing angle depending on speed).
But the main obstacle is ethical issues. In an era when maximum attention is paid to safety, projects that risk the life of the pilot are becoming less and less popular.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the 402 meter record
How long did the flight take?
The total time in the air was 3.8 seconds. For comparison: a free fall from such a height would have taken ~2.3 seconds, but due to horizontal speed and aerodynamics, the flight was extended.
Why did you choose Toyota Tacoma?
Main reasons: frame strength (pickup trucks are designed for high loads), popularity of the model among tuning studios and weight/power balance. Besides, Toyota known for its reliability - it is critical that the car does not break down at the start.
How many attempts were there before a successful jump?
The team held 12 test jumps at a distance from 50 to 300 meters. Twice the car received serious damage (including a cracked frame), but the pilot remained unharmed.
Is it possible to repeat the record in a production car?
No. Even souped-up rally cars (e.g. Ford RS200 or Peugeot 205 T16) will not withstand such loads. For comparison: when jumping 402 m, the load on the chassis exceeds 20 tons — it’s as if a loaded dump truck fell on the car.
What is the maximum theoretical jump distance for a car?
According to physicists’ calculations, under ideal conditions (speed 200 km/h, angle 30°, no wind), a car could fly up to 600 meters. However, in practice this is not possible due to limitations in material strength and pilot safety.