The advent of the GoPro-style “extreme sports camera” has given videographers the opportunity to change the world with respect to action-sports video production. No longer do you need a huge camera setup with a boom and multiple operators to produce high-quality footage, as this sweet video from the team at Late Model Racecraft shows. They used a radio-controlled helicopter to provide the unique camera angles and interesting look at a test pass in their twin-turbo Outlaw Drag Radial Firebird powered by an LSX bullet prepared by Late Model Engines. We should give headphone users a warning, though, since the audio is sourced from the camera attached to the helicopter rig, there is quite a bit of external noise produced by the copter’s engines. In the future, the LMR team has plans to hang a microphone off the car, which will make the videos they shoot in this style even more awesome. Regardless, take a gander at the video – it’s neat stuff, although we don’t see a proliferation of opportunities to do this during a major event for safety reasons.
The team at Late Model Engines have a long list of achievements in the LSX racing world, providing power for several standing-mile and drag racing speed and elapsed time records.
All of these achievements are made possible via the use of some sweet engines that are put together in-house in the Late Model Engines facility. For example, this wicked 427 cube RHS-blocked piece puts out 632 horses at only 6,800 RPM – a stout amount, but when you factor in a bunch of boost set up for the future it provides a great starting point for any LS owner. The LMR team performs a solid-deck modification before stuffing the block full of a Callies center counter-weight crankshaft, Oliver connecting rods and custom pistons.
At only 10.0:1 compression this engine will handle just about anything thrown at it. If you’re in the market to be at the lead of the LSX pack, you owe it to yourself to give Late Model Racecraft a call. Check out their Facebook page and click that fancy ‘Like’ button to stay abreast of their goings-on in the shop.