Highway Star

Surface Craft

Highway Star
Vehicle Characteristics
Base chassis	Custom designed motorcycle
Length	2.5 meters
Mass	527kG
Drive Type	2600cc twin-turbocharged 4-rotor Wankel rotary engine.
Drive Rating	>650kW
Primary Manufacturer	Team Stingray
Owner	Team Stingray
Flag of Record	South Australia
Faction	Gearheads
Registry Number	B1G SPD
Purpose	Land Speed attempt.
Primary Crew	1 Rider
Operational Status	Active

“	Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.	”
— Hunter S. Thompson

History

The first Highway Star replica was designed jointly by Ford Sierra and Jet Jaguar, based off of the eponymous motorcycle from Bubblegum Crisis,. It was intended as both a break for Jet from her Panzer Kunst duties, and to be something that they could both do together. Over the course of three months, they designed, constructed and tested the Highway Star at Ford's Garage at Marsbase Sara. They aimed to make an attempt at the motorcycle land speed record, calling themselves Team Stingray

The Highway Star is powered by a custom built twin-turbocharged 4-chamber rotary engine built out of a pair of Mazda RE-13b engines, which is easily capable of outputting more than 650kW through a 12 speed gearbox, driving the rear wheel. The front wheel is driven by a hydraulic pump mounted to the rear driveshaft. If the back wheel begins to slip, power is shifted to the front wheel to stabilise the bike.

Over the course of two weeks, the Highway Star was tested at Lake Gairdner in South Australia before the final record attempt. The day before Jet was due to make the attempt, a representative of the FIM informed her that her hardsuit armour would violate the handwavium prohibition. Fortunately, an alternate rider was found to make the attempt.

After their successful attempt at the record, Team Stingray were invited to compete at Bonneville later in the year . Lacking the necessary money to race, but having far more spare parts left over than they expected, they sold parts enough to construct a second Highway Star to Lebia Maverick.

The second Highway Star was lovingly assembled on Prometheus Forge, where it went on to take pride of place at the start of Lebia's Classic vehicle collection.

The first Highway Star is usually on display at Ford's Garage on Marsbase Sara, where it has become a minor tourist attraction. Entry is free, though prospective visitors are advised to make an appointment by phone or mail first, as the Highway Star is occasionally called out to sponsors events and shows.

It has earned itself a small place in history for itself as the last full hardtech Record holder. The rules were changed a few months afterwards to permit partially-waved entries for safety reasons.

Attributes

• Good old fashioned engineering: As per the requirements of the FIM, the Star is 100% pure all-natural hardtech. Traditional tuning methods used throughout. Requires an Earth-standard atmosphere to run, and runs best on high octane petrol. The higher the octane, the better it will run.

• A redefinition of the meaning of speed: Motorcycle Land Speed Record holder, May 2015.

• Human friendly: Although originally designed specifically around Jet Jaguar, with a little practice any experienced motorcyclist can handle it. Controls are basically 'Go', 'Go Faster', 'Stop'. Instruments are designed only to highlight important faults.

• Road Ready: Passed South Australia Single Vehicle Assessment. Is legal for use on Public roads in Australia, provided the boost is turned down to a minimum, the turbo wastegates are plumbed back into the silencers, sound deadening baffles are mounted and a set of road tyres are fitted.

Quirks

• Money Pit: Hardtech motorsport is an expensive business. To keep the Highway Star running, Jet and Ford signed up a number of sponsors. While some are satisfied with a sticker on the tank, others require them to attend shows or events in exchange for support.

• WHAT?!: Loud. Dangerously loud. Will cause hearing damage to anyone with unprotected ears. Loud enough to be officially banned from being started within the confines of Marsbase Sara.

• Spitfire: At big throttle openings, the Star blows hot flames through open wastegates. These are genuine non-slapstick burn-the-garage-down flames. Be careful.

Trivia

• A Third Highway Star replica was constructed by Eddie from on Prometheus Forge, copying the second. The third machine was then waved to make an attempt at an absolute Fenspace speed record, with Jet Jaguar invited to ride it.

• Benjamin Rhodes challenged Jet to a drag race between the Highway Star and his Lunatic Fringe. The race was held at BubbleCon, where it proved an order of magnitude more popular that the Water Reclamation and Recycling Panel.