Rummerfield seeks new record

RUMMERFIELD SEEKS TO BREAK HIS OWN LAND SPEED RECORD

WENDOVER, Utah (Aug. 10, 2006) -- Pat Rummerfield returns to the famous Bonneville Sal Flats looking for another world record.

Rummerfield, the world's first fully recovered quadriplegic, has set four land speed records, one for electric cars and the others in traditionally powered cars. This summer, he hopes to break his own mark for cars powered by three-liter engines in the Blown Fuel Modified Roadster class.

"I'm truly blessed to have an opportunity to attempt to set new land speed records as away of raising spinal cord injury awareness," said Rummerfield. "We are also trying to raise the badly needed funds for paralysis research."

Rummerfield is still recovering from his competition in the international Race the Planet endurance event in which extreme endurance athletes attempt to cross the world's four great deserts in stages. Rummerfield injured both ankles and had to withdraw from the event.

So now another desert and another challenge.

"The mental toughness you need to compete is reminiscent of the type of mentality all spinal cord injured patients must possess to keep focused on their rehabilitation," Rummerfield said. "At the speeds we obtain on the salt flats, things happen quickly and you must have total concentration."

Rummerfield needed 17 years to fully recover from the 1974 automobile accident that left him classified as a C3, 4, 5, and 6 quadriplegic. Since completing his recovery, Rummerfield has competed in Hawaii's famed Ironman triathlon as well as a marathon in the Antarctic.

He has done it all in the name of raising awareness of the battle against spinal cord injuries at the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at Kennedy Krieger Institute, a tax deductible 501 C3 facility. The Center, located in Maryland, offers hope to any child or adult experiencing the disorder of paralysis, regardless of how long ago they incurred injury. The Center's goals focus on optimizing recovery of function and improving the health of injured patients.

This month, Rummerfield will compete on the salt flats in the same car he drove last year, a modified 1927 roadster. The car has a front-wheel drive setup and is powered by a Toyota engine that can produce as much as 1,200 horsepower. Rummerfield said the car is capable of reaching 250 mph under perfect conditions. Rummerfield established a record of 119.602 mph last year.

The car is owned by Camarillo businessman Gill Gillis, himself a land speed record holder.

Rummerfield is the Director of Development for the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at Kennedy Krieger Institute.

Rummerfield, who is a member of the Explorers Club, is the Director of Development for the Kennedy Krieger Institute's International Center for Spinal Cord Injury. He is the world's first fully functional quadriplegic. The land speed attempt is part of his effort to increase awareness of the search for ways to overcome spinal cord injuries. More information on the Center is available at www.spinalcordrecovery.org.

-credit: le