'I've Been Looking for Three Years for a Lemons-grade Helicopter'

Jack Baruth
by Jack Baruth

Jeff “Speedycop” Bloch is arguably the most famous competitor in the history of the 24 Hours of LeMons. Not because he wins the race (although he does have one overall win to my knowledge) and not because he’s been my teammate on a few occasions, but rather because of the unique “Class C” cars that he builds. From an “upside-down” Camaro to the infamous Spirit Of LeMons, Speedycop is always looking for a way to race something that’s never been raced before.

His latest announcement won’t disappoint his fans in the slightest.

This Bell OH-58 “Kiowa” will be themed in tribute to the movie Predator and the iconic line “GET TO DA CHOPPA!” Like the Spirit Of LeMons before it, this Bell helicopter will be forcibly mated to a Toyota Van chassis. The engine and transmission are currently TBD but Jeff is looking at Previa mechanicals for that.

Speedy’s hope is to somehow get The Governator himself involved and to raise some money for a Marine Corps charity. You’d be a fool to bet against him.

More photos are available at Jeff’s helicopter Photobucket. What? You don’t have a helicopter Photobucket? I thought everybody had one.

Jack Baruth
Jack Baruth

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  • Cbrworm Cbrworm on Dec 18, 2015

    Having owned (and never raced) an '86 Toyota LE Van when they were new, this seems very scary to me.

  • JMII JMII on Dec 18, 2015

    I guess a helicopter is a pretty light shell to put onto a car body. I realize plenty of what happens in LeMons racing is just for fun, but it is kind of getting out of control with all these theme cars. The cars are rattle traps, boardline POS to being with, but then teams tack on various bits that are begging to fall off onto the track. Its almost like there should be two LeMons divisions, one for original concept (the $500 junk "race" car) and another for just crazy build ideas. I know if I was serious and put tons of hard work into my car only to get taken out by one these parade floats on track I'd be pretty POed.

    • Rpn453 Rpn453 on Dec 19, 2015

      Helicopters are actually very heavy. Haven't you seen them knock cars off the road in movies?

  • Looks like an awesome way to get yourself killed!

  • Erikstrawn Erikstrawn on Dec 21, 2015

    Oops, supposed to be a reply to JMII.../edit It doesn't sound like you've raced at LeMons yet, and if not, why are you complaining about what LeMons is? Yes, sometimes parts fall off the cars, and sometimes those parts are just decoration. It's all part of the spectacle. There are plenty of other competing series if you only want undiluted racing. Me? I like passing a Studebaker Silverhawk while chasing down a Mercedes decorated like the Planet Express ship.

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