FREEDOM 1 The real MPH

[cyclone]

the drag boat timing system sensors are mounted on poles that stick down into the bottom of the shallow lake or river. might be hard to do the same thing in Havasu, where the water depth might be a bit more.

 

[CLdrinker]

Nobody has mentioned the advantage Freedom 1 has by shifting gears which allows them to gain speed through the rpm band more than once.

 

[JFMFG]

I heard they are trying to get it done in time for the august shootout.

Damn that’s so rad.

 

[Tank]

Nobody has mentioned the advantage Freedom 1 has by shifting gears which allows them to gain speed through the rpm band more than once.

True story.

But still…

 

[Dan Lorenze]

What's the transmission like in the Freedom 1 boat? How many speeds? Who shifts it and how? I heard it shifing gears in the video but didn't see any movement in the cockpit.

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

What's the transmission like in the Freedom 1 boat? How many speeds? Who shifts it and how? I heard it shifing gears in the video but didn't see any movement in the cockpit.

I would assume the MoTec shifts it. And I believe its 3 gears

 

[oldman]

Powerglide.

Only thing that could handle the HP

 

[attitude]

Powerglide.

Only thing that could handle the HP

I heard they were 4L60s

 

[twocents]

I would think at some point they would switch to timing lights?

RD

Bingo -- if there are going to be serious speed attempts in Havasu's future, electronic timing lights (like what is routinely used by the drag boat groups) is the only legit way to get consistent and accurate top speeds. I would think participants would want the opportunity to establish records recognized and sanctioned by reputable boat racing organizing bodies (ie, UIM, APBA, etc.). Granted, timing lights are more work to rent and set-up but are well worth the additional expense and time. Back in 2009 Ross Wallach conducted speed trials on Salton Sea and used lights -- if it can be done at the Salton Sea it should be feasible at Lake Havasu too.

 

[DWC]

Bingo -- if there are going to be serious speed attempts in Havasu's future, electronic timing lights (like what is routinely used by the drag boat groups) is the only legit way to get consistent and accurate top speeds. I would think participants would want the opportunity to establish records recognized and sanctioned by reputable boat racing organizing bodies (ie, UIM, APBA, etc.). Granted, timing lights are more work to rent and set-up but are well worth the additional expense and time. Back in 2009 Ross Wallach conducted speed trials on Salton Sea and used lights -- if it can be done at the Salton Sea it should be feasible at Lake Havasu too.

Wait…. So radar guns aren’t reliable @FlyByWire

 

[oldman]

Wait…. So radar guns aren’t reliable @FlyByWire

For the revenuers.

Yes

 

[Dan Lorenze]

Powerglide.

Only thing that could handle the HP

I was gonna joke and say they were Turbo 400 transmissions.. But in fact they are:

• M&M transmission with a 3-speed Turbo 400

 

[oldman]

I was gonna joke and say they were Turbo 400 transmissions.. But in fact they are:

• M&M transmission with a 3-speed Turbo 400

Seriously?? WOW.

The powerglide was a nod to old school drag racing, hell guys still run a version of them. I had one in an old campbell vdrive a 100 years ago

 

[Tom Slick]

What's the transmission like in the Freedom 1 boat? How many speeds? Who shifts it and how? I heard it shifing gears in the video but didn't see any movement in the cockpit.

3 Speed turbo 400 style transmissions. They utilize Motec to shift using GPS speed to determine shifts so both trans shift simultaneously, rather than using RPM which could vary between engines.

 

[D Mac]

Powerboat Talk podcast with the Freedom One guys tells all about the boat build.

 

[Oggie]

I was gonna joke and say they were Turbo 400 transmissions.. But in fact they are:

• M&M transmission with a 3-speed Turbo 400

That is what I read. They did not get out of 2nd gear at LOTO and they still went over 200

 

[Tom Slick]

Powerboat Talk podcast with the Freedom One guys tells all about the boat build.

 

[Tom Slick]

That is what I read. They did not get out of 2nd gear at LOTO and they still went over 200

I believe they were stuck in 2nd gear on that pass at LOTO.

 

[oldman]

I believe they were stuck in 2nd gear on that pass at LOTO.

Like they locked 3 gear out, or they failed to shift.

 

[Tom Slick]

Like they locked 3 gear out, or they failed to shift.

From what I believe that I heard is that they were having trouble with the GPS reading, therefore the transmission would not shift. So in order to make that one pass, they put the transmission in second gear and left it there.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

Not sure the update has been posted here yet, I looked for it and can't find it. Don't want to be a Vin. But here it is.

Freedom One Race Team on Instagram: "Back to work! Getting motors pulled and the boat is headed back up to @skater.powerboats . Wanted to give a few thank you’s to the people the help us make this thing scream!"

2,253 likes, 48 comments - freedomone_racing on May 2, 2025: "Back to work! Getting motors pulled and the boat is headed back up to @skater.powerboats . Wanted to give a few thank you’s to the people the help us make this thing scream!".

www.instagram.com

 

[oldman]

From what I believe that I heard is that they were having trouble with the GPS reading, therefore the transmission would not shift. So in order to make that one pass, they put the transmission in second gear and left it there.

Smart move to lock them down and get data.

 

[Willie B]

… I find this whole adventure fascinating… I’m certainly glad it didn’t turn out to be much worse…
… the only opinion possible for me to have is whatever it takes to get the driver and throttle man strapped in a little more securely…
… From the experience of driving a Fuel Car…The car owner would always pull my harness tight tight tight… At first I would argue with him… But after ending up in the dirt at San Fernando Raceway… I’m guessing I might have ended up very black and blue… if it wasn’t for being belted in so tightly… this was 1965 and it was only a three point harness… but it worked…

 

[oldman]

… I find this whole adventure fascinating… I’m certainly glad it didn’t turn out to be much worse…
… the only opinion possible for me to have is whatever it takes to get the driver and throttle man strapped in a little more securely…
… From the experience of driving a Fuel Car…The car owner would always pull my harness tight tight tight… At first I would argue with him… But after ending up in the dirt at San Fernando Raceway… I’m guessing I might have ended up very black and blue… if it wasn’t for being belted in so tightly… this was 1965 and it was only a three point harness… but it worked…

I have no experience in a real racecar.
But I end over ended a 66 big block chevelle in my youth. By the grace of god I walked away from a pretty bad wreck. It had a High school installed cage and rear subframe with a 5 point harness.
I wrecked at an honest speed of 110-120 MPH. ( not fast but fast). I will tell you as a healthy 19 year old kid, I was one busted up bruised kid, I had broken ribs, I pissed blood, and my body turned some crazy unnatural colors. I still look back on that as lucky to be alive, the car was a wadded up mangled hunk of shit.

All that said, watching the video of these guys doing a little ragdoll in that boat brings back that crazy night i lost $200 bucks

 

[HNL2LHC]

Wait…. So radar guns aren’t reliable @FlyByWire

Name chang to “Fly by liar” might be appropriate.