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England - In October 1997 Andy Green went supersonic in Thrust SSC and set a new World Land Speed Record of 1277.98km/h. Twenty years on, that record remains unchallenged.
In October 2017, the team behind the Bloodhound Supersonic Car aims to change that and formally announced the start of preparations for its first World Land Speed Record campaign.
The recent signing of major deals means the Bloodhound Project now has sufficient funding pledged to complete the car and start the countdown to high-speed testing at the Hakskeen Pan, Northern Cape, South Africa, in Autumn next year.
WATCH: Bloodhound Project - Jaguar, jet high-speed test
The identity of the new partner(s) will be revealed in due course.
Loads of preperations
The car displayed in September 2015 was a ‘trial-build’, without fluids, done in part to check the fit of over 3500 bespoke components. The team will now disassemble the 13.5m long streamliner, documenting the process in fine detail, to create the Bloodhound user manual.
Given that, at some point in the future, engineers may be working on the world’s most complex racing car, an accurate illustrated guide will be essential piece of kit.
The jet used to propel the Bloodhound is a tried and tested component used by Rolls-Royce to develop the production engines for the Eurofighter Typhoon. The rocket is a new design, however, and further work will be required before engineers sign it off for use in the car.
READ: Rolls backs SA Bloodhound project
Bloodhound SSC will travel under its own power for the first time at Newquay in June 2017, in a slow speed (354 km/h) shakedown test. This will also be an opportunity for the team to practice live-streaming data and imagery from the car - a key aspect of Bloodhound’s mission to share the adventure with a global audience.
Every person is integral
By this time the team’s Rapid Response and Turnaround Crews will have done extensive training ready to support high speed running in South Africa. This will include rehearsing ‘the pit stop from hell’: an intense 40 minute period between timed runs during which time the car will be checked, refuelled and made ready for the return leg.
READ: 'Chute test for Bloodhound record-bid car
Project director Richard Noble said: “This is probably the biggest moment in the Project’s history. Before we could only see financially a few months ahead but now we can put our foot down and really go for it!
“We have come through this difficult stage wiser, leaner and fitter. Bloodhound is now in Race Preparation which means the pace and the pressure will ramp up but so too will the sense of satisfaction as we head towards our Car breaking the sound barrier for the first time, with the world watching!”
