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Thunda Down Under
Jet Truck   Select Image to Enlarge
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From 1983 – 1990 Ken Warby professionally raced jet propelled dragsters,  jet funny cars and a jet truck, both in Australia and the USA.
Thunda Down Under was based on a '83 Ford LTL 9000  and was powered by a  Jet Kerosene J-79 General Electric thrust engine.

1988 Records: 1/4 Mile: 6.995 ET, 237.46 MPH
1988 Average: 1/4 Mile: 7.305 ET, 226.59 MPH

The truck was on display at Whitman Park Car Museum, Perth, Western Australia

It was owned by Gary Miocevich who competed with it from 1991 to 1996. In 2015 after Gary's death the family began rebuilding the old jet truck and hoped to have it completed in late 2015 to once again run in exhibitions as a tribute to Gary.

The truck is still in Western Australia.


200mph Jet truck 1/4 mile run at willowbank raceway QLD from 1994. The truck was called 'Thunder Down Under' and was driven by Garry Miocevich R.I.P (1956-2015). This actual run was the very last pass this truck did before it was retired .The truck now resides in a museum in Western Australia. Source: Sadbuttruu

Legendary jet drag truck to throw fire once more
Dragnews Magazine Published: 15 October 2015

The famous Western Australian exhibition drag racing vehicle Thunder Down Under has been restored and will soon be ready to breathe fire once again.
The jet-powered drag truck, driven by the late Gary Miocevich, thrilled fans at the now defunct Ravenswood Raceway and around the country, powering its way to 323kmh (200.7mph) passes over the quarter mile.
It was consigned to being a museum piece, and deemed by some to be too heavy to race safely, but a renewed push by Miocevich's family, including son Daniel, has seen it being upgraded and prepared to terrify a whole group of new race fans.
Daniel said he, his uncles Brad and Mark, and crew were in the process of rebuilding the truck as a tribute to Gary, who passed away earlier this year. Testing is scheduled for November.
“If we can get the new fuel system sorted, I'll be jumping in and doing an exhibition fire show at Perth Speed Fest (in December),” he said. “It'll be the first time the jet truck has run in over 20 years and I don't care if your ideal day includes high tea and ballet, 20 metre fireballs are awesome in anybody's books.”

The Ford Louiseville LTL 9000 uses a GE J79 Jet Engine from an F-4 Phantom II Jet Fighter and today still holds the record as the fastest jet powered truck in the southern hemisphere.
Daniel said safety is high in mind when it comes to the family's racing.
“Of course there’s an element of danger, but that’s what makes any risk-taking activity exciting – whether it’s base jumping or racing jet-powered cars. If it's not dangerous, it doesn't get your blood pumping,” admitted Daniel.
“Drag racing is a highly technical sport and those that do well at it are pushing the limits of engineering within the rules – if more people knew that then more people would appreciate the complexities, and the dangers, of the sport.
“I’m really hoping we can have the jet truck ready to make some noise at Perth Speed Fest – it's an absolute beast, and I know Dad would be smiling down on us.”

  Select Image to Enlarge
on display in the Gary Miocevich Rare and Dangerous Pavilion at the Perth Truck & Trailer Show at the Perth Motorplex 2015
Select Image to Enlarge
on display in the Gary Miocevich Rare and Dangerous Pavilion at the Perth Truck & Trailer Show at the Perth Motorplex 2015
Select Image to Enlarge
on display in the Gary Miocevich Rare and Dangerous Pavilion at the Perth Truck & Trailer Show at the Perth Motorplex 2015
 
 
 
 

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