GPE-3130 Podracer

The GPE-3130 Podracer, also known as the 3130-series factory custom, was a model of podracer built by Galactic Power Engineering and designed for little bar straight-line speed. Its high speed made it a terror on straight-line raceways with broad, gentle curves, but its twin ThrustMaster 9000 aerospike rocket engines, augmented by a pair of smaller ramjet engines, made it difficult to control in tight spaces or sharp corners. The vehicle was awkward-looking and its repulsorpod was uncomfortable with an unintuitive control layout.

In 32 BBY, the Gran podracer Mawhonic piloted a GPE-3130 Podracer at the Boonta Eve Classic podrace on the planet Tatooine. During the race he managed to trail behind the lead racer, Sebulba, but in the first lap he was knocked out of the race by the other pilot when he rammed Mawhonic's GPE-3130 into a cliff face in the Mushroom Mesa portion of the circuit.

During the Galactic Civil War, the GPE-3130 Podracer cost 11,500 credits and was hard to find for purchase. Despite an aggressive marketing campaign by its manufacturer, the vehicle was unpopular, although some small racing teams fielded it because it was one of the fastest and most affordable podracers on the market.

Text and facts from the “GPE-3130 Podracer” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.