Longest jump in the world?

Press, 11 February 1983, Page 3

Longest jump in the world?

Bruce Hegglun (above) learnt something from his last stunt-car jump. This time he will keep his eyes shut after taking off on a new record attempt at Ruapuna Raceway. The Christchurch fitter and welder, aged 28, thinks that his attempt to jump this Holden HQ station waggon 61 metres (200 feet) on Sunday afternoon will be one of the longest jumps in the world. The incentive is money and regaining a record lost when Greg Taylor jumped a Chevrolet Impala 58.8 m on the same track two years ago.

“People have been telling me for yearss I am a bit loose,” Mir Hegglun said. “I suppose I confirm it every couple of years. I think I like scaring other people as much as myself.” He plans to leave the ramp travelling about 120km/h and crash the Holden on its bonnet. Seconds spent airborne, about 7.5 m off the ground were more frightening than dangerous. A regular sidecar passenger at Ruapuna, Mr Hegglun has made two stunt jumps with nothing worse than pulled stomach muscles and a grazed shoulder.

The last jump was frightening enough when Mr Hegglun set a short-lived record of 44m. The bonnet of the car he was driving flew up in midair and he could not see. This time he will wire down the Holden’s bonnet and keep his eyes shut. Mr lan Shrimpton, of Trident Promotions, said that the stunt had changed since Mr Taylor landed in hospital after his 1981 jump. A new shingle ramp, 9m long and 1.5 m high, had also been built on Wednesday to give a better slope. The raceway programme will start at 1 p.m.