the world land speed record - a very british adventure

ENGINEERING ADVENTURE www.BLOODHOUNDSSC.com

A Very British Adventure

Mary McKinlay

Bloodhound STEM Ambassador13 April 2023

The World Land Speed Record


What are we going to do today?

1. I’m going to tell you a story and as we go through

As the Benefits SIG• Identify

– Component Projects and their objectives – Benefits– Who is going to deliver them

• How can we measure success? – and when?


The World Land Speed Record

• The FIA World Record for the fastest car • Unlimited design – but must have 4 or more

wheels • Requires very advanced engineers • Involves 2-300 companies in the supply chain • Held by UK for 65 out of 109 years – deep in UK

Culture• Thrust teams have held the World Land Speed

Record for 26 years continuously


A Record Holder in 1899 Jenatzy La Jamais Contente 100Kmh


The World Land Speed Record – The First Cars

• 1898 - Jeantaud Duc - Electric– Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat– 39 mph

• 1902 - Oeuf de Pâques - Steam– Gardner-Serpollet– 75 mph


John Cobb At Brooklands

143 Miles Per Hour


THRUST2 – 1983 633.468 mph World Record


Thrust SSC Current Holder 763mph Supersonic at last!


The World Land Speed Record – Thrust

• Thrust 1

• 1983 - Thrust 2– Richard Noble– 633mph

• 1997 - Thrust SSC– Andy Green– 763mph


BLOODHOUND SSC 2007-2013

What we are building now!


BTC in Bristol – next to SS Great Britain


Strange things happen at high speeds

• Air does not behave normally

• Computer models help keep the car on the ground


Strange things happen at high speeds

• Steering becomes a problem!

• Diameter 900mm• Width 150mm• Profile V• Weight 100-150kg• 50,000g force at the rim at full speed

• Special wheels are needed


Here comes a Project (or two)!

• Let’s design a car that will safely achieve the speed we need

• Find Designers - recruit Universities• New methodologies for design – old ways

won’t work• By the way – we have no money – Project

needed to raise the cash• Find Sponsors• Involve the Public?


BLOODHOUND SSC engines

EJ200Jet Engine

EurofighterTyphoon


Spot the difference

• Typhoon operates at high level• Bloodhound will stay on the ground• Need to have the engine modified

– Can we persuade Rolls Royce to do this for us?

• Another Project?


Another Project!

• Bloodhound can have the engine – with conditions….

• An EDUCATION Programme! • Recruit volunteers, create assets, plan

campaign, find schools, fit into national curriculum

• Objective – get more young people inspired by the Engineering Adventure, career development, help UK PLC


Rocket designer

Daniel JubbRocket scientist


Cosworth F1 Engine


Andy Green

… the world’s fastest mathematician and our driver


The World Land Speed Record – fast but..

• Going fast can present other problems!!

We need good brakes – but what type?


How do you slow down very fast things?

• Air brakes– High speed

• Parachutes– Slow speed

• Mechanical brake– Even slower


How does Bloodhound stop?

• Air Brakes slow down to 200mph• Parachutes deployed at 600mph if air

brakes fail• Disc Brakes to stop


What Type of Track Do We Need?

• 12 miles long• Where?


South Africa

Hakskeen Pan

Verneuk Pan


What will it be like to be there?


Another Project

• Prepare the site• Negotiate with Government of South Africa• Base Camp? Over 100 Miles away from

nearest town, extreme temperatures


South Africa Desert Preparation

Lots of stones to pick up!


Bloodhound - The Timeline

– 2007-2008

Research programme and Project launch – 2008-2013

Detail design & vehicle build – 2013

Low speed UK runs– 2013

South Africa Land Speed Record runs – 2014 1000mph record


BLOODHOUND SSC 2007-2014

the world land speed record - a very british adventure

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