MOB on hand for another attempt to make history on Nevada highways.
On an 11-mile stretch of Highway 160 near Pahrump last October, spectators witnessed something that has only happened a few times along Nevada’s highways — a brand new hypercar delivered a new world-record speed. The hypercar, SSC North America's Tuatara, is a $1.6-million 5.9-liter, twin-turbo V8 production car producing 1,750 horsepower and making it the fastest in the world.
The speed was so fast, about 316 mph (and a potential one-way top speed of 331.15 mph), that the accuracy of the record was challenged. If the speed can be validated or another attempt made, it would eclipse the production car speed record of the Koenigsegg Agera RS set in November 2017. The Agera RS recorded an average speed of 278 mph (and one-way top speed of 285 mph).
In the background of both runs was Masters of Barricades (MOB), working closely with the record-setting teams. MOB was responsible for many aspects of the runs, from conception and communication with state agencies to traffic control and barricade cleanup.
“The Koenigsegg Agera RS was the first of its kind. Nothing like this had ever been done before and all the traffic logistics had to be built from the ground up,” says Paul Ames, special events manager for MOB. “There were additional considerations to be made during the more recent run with the SSC North America's Tuatara, as it had a stronger film production focus, including a fighter jet with a camera attached to its nose.”
Ames oversaw three teams with staggered starting points that set more than 1,200 traffic delineators (signs, cones, etc.) over 11 miles, with each team responsible for approximately 4 miles. Once set, an onsite supervisor inspected all 11 miles of the course and shifted eastbound traffic into a contraflow lane, which is a lane where traffic flows in the opposite direction of the surrounding lanes.
The number one focus of the setup, much like the planning, was to minimize the impact of area travel times. Masters of Barricades worked with the Nevada Dept. of Transportation (NDOT) and Nevada Highway Patrol on the traffic plan. The SSC North America's Tuatara run also included input from the Federal Aviation Agency (coordinating the jets and helicopters on site), U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and area firefighters and paramedics who were on scene.
“The scope of something like this cannot be underestimated,” said Ames. “Outside of traffic control, I have to commend Joel Oscarson and JVSI Industries for their work on all the planning, communication and coordination on behalf of our client. Neither run would have succeeded without him.”
Oscarson was responsible for the identification and site selection for an ideal speed run in Nevada. The 7-mile stretch of highway (within the 11 miles prepped) is especially well suited for speed runs because it is recently paved, particularly straight, and without any intersecting roads. He originally identified this section of highway while working for Spring Mountain Motor Resort In Pahrump.
“Attempting to set new land speed records has been one of the most exciting events attempted on Nevada highways,” Ames said. “It places Nevada on the map as part of history, which is especially important given our state’s time-honored relationship with racing and motor sports.”
Specific to land speed records, the quest for ultimate speed on a straight-line course can be traced to the 1930s on dry lake beds in California’s Mojave Desert. By the 1950s, even a patch of pavement on Vegas Valley Drive was devoted to organized, part-time drag races as part of Nevada’s vibrant automotive history.
MOB is thrilled to be part of that growing history, working with many clients and customers interested in hosting historic automotive events in Nevada. Ames added that MOB looks forward to any future attempt by the SSC North America's Tuatara team to validate its record. While there may be some speculation over the official time, he said there seems to be little question that this hypercar is record-breaking fast.
