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Branson to drive across English Channel
AAP ^
| Wednesday January 14, 10:21 AM
| AAP
Posted on 01/13/2004 6:18:40 PM PST by mgstarr
British entrepreneur and adventurer Richard Branson is planning to drive across the English Channel in New Zealand businessman Alan Gibbs' amphibious sports car.
Branson, 53, who was one of the first to place an order for the STG150,000 ($A357,000) Gibbs Aquada last year, took one out for a spin at the London boat show this week.
"One day I envisage teams from across the globe racing across the English Channel in amphibious vehicles to set records and win trophies," Branson said afterwards.
He said he would try to set a cross-Channel record this year as the first car to cross the Channel unaided, "just to get the ball rolling".
Gibbs said Branson was enthusiastic about the James Bond-style open-top three-seater Aquada after his test drive on Monday.
The Aquada cruises at 40km/h and has a top speed of 48km/h on water and a top speed of more than 160km/h on land.
TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS:
Have always liked this guy. Risk taking entrepreneur. Don't know/care about his politics, just respect his drive and ambition.
1
posted on
01/13/2004 6:18:41 PM PST
by
mgstarr
To: mgstarr
I met him once at a Virgin Opening in Hollywood. What a Fun Guy!
2
posted on
01/13/2004 6:21:37 PM PST
by
cmsgop
( How Come Vic Tayback Never Won an Oscar ???????????????????????????????)
To: mgstarr
,,, I've got his biography [written by Mick Brown] at home on the shelf. One chapter deals with Branson's ballooning epic over the Atlantic. I got a kick out of the bit where the Concorde flew past - probably only one millionth of the kick Branson got!
To: mgstarr
4
posted on
01/13/2004 6:37:27 PM PST
by
visualops
To: mgstarr
"Didn't Bleriot do this in 1909?"
5
posted on
01/13/2004 6:40:31 PM PST
by
billorites
(freepo ergo sum)
To: mgstarr
Technically, it's not a car. So the driving part sounds false.
6
posted on
01/13/2004 7:20:48 PM PST
by
PackerBoy
(Just my opinion ....)
To: PackerBoy
If it rolled accross the bottom like an underwater tractor - now that would be driving.
7
posted on
01/14/2004 12:15:34 AM PST
by
dagnabbit
(Tell Bush where to put his Amnesty and Global Labor Pool for American Jobs- Vote Tancredo in Primary)
To: PackerBoy
Why is it not a car? It can be driven on the street can't it?
To: Prodigal Son
To be technical, it is an amphibious vehicle.
Thousands of Americans, Brits, and Canadians did it back in 1944 on a little excursion known as Operation Overlord.
To: mgstarr
"One day I envisage teams from across the globe racing across the English Channel in amphibious vehicles to set records and win trophies," Branson said afterwards. Call it the Ted Kennedy Cup.
10
posted on
01/14/2004 5:08:51 AM PST
by
dirtboy
(Howard Dean - all bike and no path)
To: mgstarr
My favorite billionaire. Thanks for posting this. He's the guy I wanna be when I grow up.
To: Prodigal Son
I guess I should have said, "It's not JUST a car."
12
posted on
01/14/2004 12:04:42 PM PST
by
PackerBoy
(Just my opinion ....)
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