FastTrack 1

FastTrack 1 is a full-scale technology demonstrator built by Fast Track Amphibian of Hurst, Texas, to prove a patent-pending idea: using tracks as the sole propulsion system on both land and water, so that no separate marine drive is needed.

Design

The demonstrator runs on elongated rubber snowmobile tracks and was powered by a 148 hp snowmobile engine. The tracks can lift it onto the plane from a standstill, and the air-sprung suspension can be extended or retracted to suit conditions. It carries six people and was reported to reach about 63 km/h (39 mph) on water and about 89 km/h (55 mph) on land. It can enter the water at over 64 km/h (40 mph) and climb out at about 32 km/h (20 mph), and it has towed two water-skiers. From a standstill it reached about 43 km/h (27 mph) with six people aboard.

History

The company was founded by the twin brothers Ken and Rod Wernicke, retired Bell Helicopter engineers involved in the XV-15 and V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor programmes, together with their sons. The work grew out of a US Navy request for concepts for a fast amphibious scout vehicle; the family researched the idea for ten years before building FastTrack 1, followed by about two and a half years of testing.

Plans

In early 2007 the company planned a 350 hp Corvette engine with a hybrid drive for an attempt on the amphibious water speed record, hand-built two- or five-seat customer vehicles of 300 hp or more, a smaller ATV/snowmobile/personal watercraft, and a larger 600 hp hurricane-rescue vehicle seating ten evacuees.