10/26/98 - Englishtown, NJ - Jessica Willard returned to the track where she made her jet dragster debut in early June of this year to once again reset the track elapsed time record.

Driving the Hanna Motorsports “Queen of Diamonds” Jet Dragster, Jessica first broke her track record of 5.14 with a first round match race winning time of 5.13 at more than 304 MPH. In the second and final round, she piloted the awesome J-85 powered machine to one of the sports quickest elapsed times ever, 5.088 at nearly 306 MPH. In the history of jet dragsters, this time stands as one of the best ever.

The “Queen of Diamonds” name has several connotations. First, this car is named for fans to quickly understand it is driven by a young woman. Second, it is named for the ‘shock diamonds’ that appear in the fiery cone of the afterburner as the sound of the jet engine exits and stacks up at more than the speed of sound. Finally, the name works perfectly to support the team's relationship with Bicycle Playing Cards, newest sponsor of the beautiful “Queen of Diamonds” machine.

“I can’t believe we’ve already run in the 5.0’s. The guys tell me there is more there but we have to move slowly. I just keep focused and try to learn something at every event.” said Jessica. “The fans seem to really love these cars and driving one is a real thrill."

The Jessica Willard-driven “Queen of Diamonds" appeared in 20 events in 1998. She set several track et and MPH records and amassed a 98% winning record. In addition to her record setting performances, she also won two of the jet car categories most prestigious events, NE Dragway’s ‘Jet Cars Under the Stars’ and Englishtown’s own US Jet Car Nationals.

In 1999, the schedule for the “Queen of Diamonds” is quickly filling. All indications are performances will continue to improve, the fan base will continue to grow, and the success story of Jessica Willard will continue to evolve.

For additional information about the Hanna Motorsports programs and/or the “Queen of Diamonds” Jet Dragster, contact Hanna Motorsports at 860-745-1870 or Nichols and Associates at 815-877-8041.

9/15/98 - Enfield, CT - As the season winds down, the records continue to fall and the performances continue to improve for young Jessica ‘Jet’ Willard and the Hanna Motorsports-owned “Queen of Diamonds” Jet Dragster.

In Englishtown, NJ, at the 17th annual US Jet Car Nationals, Jessica won the event overcoming a starting line advantage by her opponent to win the final round by a mere .007 with a track et record setting run of 5.14 @ 305 MPH.

In late August, in Norwalk, Ohio, at the IHRA World Nationals, Jessica thrilled the crowd during the Saturday evening ‘Night of Fire’ portion of the event with a holeshot victory over the notoriously fast Billy Mateo and the ‘Chicago Fire’ Jet Dragster. The 20,000 in attendance went wild as the young 21 year old driver cut a .412 light and held off Billy’s awesome 313 MPH charge the day before her 22nd birthday.

At Karl Moyers’ Eddyville, Iowa 1/8th mile facility Labor Day weekend, Jessica backed up her early season track record setting performances winning a match race with Danny Sullivan’s ‘Chicago Rush’ Jet Dragster. Her runs in the mid-3 second range @ 220 MPH plus had the autograph seeking crowd lined up at her trailer for hours after the event.

This past weekend, Jessica recorded her best performance to date running a 5.11 @ nearly 307 MPH as part of the show at the IHRA Northern Nationals held at New England Dragway, Epping NH.

Negotiations have started to determine the procedure necessary to have Jessica’s name entered into the Guinness World Book of Records. Jessica is now officially the fastest and quickest woman to drive a jet dragster in history and the first woman to run over 300 MPH in a jet dragster in history. These on-track feats are well deserving of recognition for the first year driver.

With several more events in 1998 and a full schedule of nearly 30 events developing for 1999, look for the Jessica Willard driven Hanna Motorsports “Queen of Diamonds” Jet Dragster to continue to set and reset records coast to coast and beyond. Jessica has found a home in the seat of this fierce machine and has truly earned the nickname Jessica ‘Jet’.

8/8/98 - Epping, New Hampshire - In her home debut at New England Dragway’s annual ‘Jet Cars Under the Stars’ Event, Jessica “Jet” Willard wheeled the Hanna Motorsports “Queen of Diamonds” Jet Dragster to the title over Lou Brookman’s “Chariot of Fire”. The crowd of over 10,000 loudly cheered in approval of their new home-based star.

Throughout the evening, Jessica met the challenge of many of the sports finest jet dragster pilots. In the first round, she ended Danny Sullivan’s chances in the “Chicago Rush” with a 5.20 run at more than 301 MPH. In the second round, she faced off with Jack Dustman in the awesome “Jolly Roger” J-60 jet Dragster from Cleveland, Ohio. Jack was no match for the “Queen of Diamonds” and her track record setting run of 5.16 seconds at 302 MPH. In the final, Jessica again reset the track et record running a 5.15 second et run at nearly 303 MPH.

Jessica has been a regular at New England Dragway racing with her family since the age of seven. This weeks professional debut at the age of 21 was just the beginning for this determined young lady from Leominster, Massachusetts.

Look for the “Queen of Diamonds” to be a major factor at her upcoming return to Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ. It was at Englishtown, just 2 short months ago that Jessica made her debut as a driver with a win at the annual “Night of Thrills” event. “I want to add the ‘US Jet Car Nationals’ title to my win list and look forward to this coming Wednesday’s race”. With her many track records and win/loss record to date, she may just pull this one off. Time will tell and there surely are many more wins and track records ahead for the rookie “Queen of Diamonds” jet dragster driver.