Life at Full Speed celebrates the extraordinary life of Jessi Combs.

Builder, racer and entrepreneur Jessi Combs sped through life in a hurry. Born in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Combs established a career path in fabrication early in life, earning a degree in Custom Automotive Fabrication at WyoTech, debuting her first custom project at Specialty Equipment Marketing Association’s (SEMA) show in 2004. Combs’ unique skill set and personality led her to many host appearances on television shows which she used to gain experience but also to further define her identity as a metal fabricator, builder, industrial artist and driver.

As a racer, Combs competed in endurance challenges such as the Baja 1000, the all-women’s Rallye Aicha des Gazelles and became the first female to ever place at Ultra4's King of the Hammers, achieving a class win in 2014. In 2013, Combs became the fastest woman on four-wheels with the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger, holding a record of 398 mph with a top speed of 483.227 mph. On August 27th, 2019 Combs was killed in a crash while attempting to set another speed record.


EXHIBITION DATES | SEPT 22-25

From 9/22 - 9/25, the Petersen Automotive Museum will host a special exhibit in the William E. Connor Penthouse honoring the life and accomplishments of Jessi Combs and mark the official launch of the foundation. Admission to the exhibit is by suggested donation with 100% of the proceeds benefiting The Jessi Combs Foundation. Live your life, make a difference and go forward.

SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION!

Throughout her life Combs sought to explore the relationship between women and machine, as a means to continually push and break stereotypical boundaries. As one of the few prominent female fabricators of her era, she endeavored to create programs and safe spaces that encouraged education and dialog about the industrial arts for women. Jessi Combs: Life at Full Speed seeks to further that effort, establishing a base for which “The Jessi Combs Foundation" can grow. The mission of the foundation is to EDUCATE, INSPIRE and EMPOWER the next generation of female trailblazers and stereotype-breakers. Its guiding principle is the simple question “What would Jessi Do?”. With the support of our friends and partners we can empower a generation of females to think broader and creatively. Follow The Jessi Combs Foundation on Facebook & Instagram, and go to https://www.petersen.org/jessi to get involved.