Date line April 3th, 2009
Ivanpah Dry Lake, Primm NV
StateLine Nevada

On Friday the 3rd day of April, on a very windy day, Arjen van der Tol a dutch rider sponsored by Libre Power Kites, riding an Xxtreme Apexx Buggy , while flying a 3.3 Spirit kite, shattered the old record shared by himself and Luc Stanek.

Mr. van der Tol had set the bar fairly high one day earlier by tying the old record held by many years by Luc Stanek at 72.8 mph.

Using four(4)gps units for accuracy and redundancy, the North American Buggy eXpo recognizes Mr. van der Tol's amazing feet of 124 kph or 77.05 mph!

On Ivanpah Dry Lake Bed in the Mojave Desert where many wind land speeding records have been set and broken, it was just March 26th, 2009 on the same lake bed where Richard Jenkins a brit, in his Greenbird wind powered speedster went 126.1 mph, shattering the old record of 116mph set ten years ealier by the Iron Duck at 116mph.

What Arjen van der Tol did, might be even more of a feat however when you consider he did it riding a three wheel kite buggy, steering with his feet, while harnessed to a four line kite flying from handles! Dressed in Moto-cross gear with streamlined helmet, wearing what many in the sport call perma-grin Mr. van der Tol was elated to learn he had gone so fast, as his gps was obscured by dust. He wasn't sure till he rolled to a stop in front of a cheering crowd of enthusiast who had just witnessed his amazing feet as he bullet trained across the playa floor.

We wish Arjen and his team mates all the best of luck with future conquests and look forward to seeing him and many others come back to this BLM administered public property to try and top the record, but imagine that it might take quite a bit more luck and skill to go this fast with just the wind and a small kite!

Now that's AoxomoxoA~!

Arjen was sponsored by Libre with Spirits and Kite Buggy Speed Shop with a Hardcore and weight set. Arjen used the new buggy I pulled out of stock for 6 days using lots of tires on the harsh desert surface. I wanted to tune the buggy but it seemed he was busy so I tuned it in the evening after he left for the day. I brought the buggy for a Libre sponsored pilot and expected Arjen to support his sponsors. He did set the tie record with the Libre Hardcore but as I can tell Thursday evening the tires were ready to go and the buggy was retuned. Then rather than support his sponsor on Friday afternoon he jumped in an apecks buggy and set the new record. So much for sponsored pilot support, once burned never again will I support a Euro sponsored pilot unless we have a legal contract signed.

Jon Ellis

Keep in mind we had two full days of winds to play and break a record with a libre buggy, and also play with a apecks afterwards .Your time and effort tuning was not unnoticed or appreciated. We now how you support riders and NABX and will continue for many years to come. :dunno: I was sorry your trip ended on that note but so you Know Jon....you made a lasting impression on my kid and the next generation of kite buggiers to NABX..........Now send me a damm Libre buggy..........or I'll make Tommy Lee pounce on your drumstick while your sleeping.......