Aug. 30, 2019—Racer, builder, driver and larger-than-life automotive figure Jessi Combs died this week in a crash. She was 39.
She was piloting a jet-powered land-speed car in a dry lake bed in southeast Oregon and crashed at around 4 p.m. local time, reports Road & Track.
Combs set a 2013 land-speed record of 398 mph, as well as a 2018 run of 483.227 mph, according to R & T. Combs was a legend and figure in automotive pop culture as well, hosting multiple television shows to share her technical expertise. Jalopnik reported that she also had an industry presence, representing the American Welding Society and designing a line of women's welding gear.
She competed in races and was the first woman to place at the Ultra4 King of the Hammers and The Race of Gentlemen events.
Combs' family released a statement. It says in part, via Jalopnik:
Jessi was known for her bright smile, positivity, and tenacious pursuit of the fulfillment of her dreams. Her drive was infectious, and she served as a role model for young Girls, and Women around the world. People that loved her and followed her became family, all bonded together by adventure and passion. Her fans adored her, and she lived to inspire them. Jessi’s most notable dream was to become the fastest woman on Earth, a dream she had been chasing since 2012. Combs was one of the rare dreamers with the bravery to turn those possibilities into reality, and she left this earth driving faster than any other woman in history.
Image: Jessi Combs / Twitter
