spacetoday.net: Rocket racing venture announced

Posted: Tue, Oct 4, 2005, 8:08 AM ET (1208 GMT)
Rocket racers illustration (RRL)

The founder of the X Prize and a venture capitalist have announced the formation of a new venture that conduct a series of races using rocket-powered aircraft. The Rocket Racing League, announced Monday in New York, will hold a series of races around the country using specially-designed rocket-powered aircraft. The aircraft will fly a three-dimensional circuit at a typical altitude of 1,500 meters, with up to 10 vehicles competing at the same time. Races will be held at sites to be determined around the country, with the finals to be held at the X Prize Cup in New Mexico each October, starting in 2006. The initial series of vehicles will be designed and built by XCOR Aerospace. Peter Diamandis, founder of the X Prize Foundation, is the co-founder of the Rocket Racing League, along with venture capitalist and auto racing backer Granger Whitelaw, who will serve as president of the league.