Record racer: While the Bloodhound only exists on paper right now, the British team wants to have the super sonic car running by 2011. They hope the design will reach 1,050 m.p.h. (Curventa/Reuters)
A car that’s faster than a speeding bullet
By Chris Gaylord | 10.28.08
A British team that’s been blasting past land-speed records since 1983 is ready to break it again. After surpassing their previous best by reaching 763 m.p.h. in 1997, the crew has drafted a design for a new supersonic car capable of hitting 1,050 m.p.h. – or 10 miles every 34 seconds.
The new craft, dubbed the Bloodhound, will be 42 feet long and weigh more than 6 tons. With two rockets bolted to the back – one to kick-start the launch and a second jet hooked up to a racing engine – the vehicle will need a shell as tough as a submarine’s to withstand the pressure. At top speed, the air will pound against the hull at more than 12 tons of force per square yard.
Richard Noble, who manned the team’s first record-breaker in 1983 and has led the Bloodhound team for the past 18 months, hopes sponsors will pick up the expected $16.1 million bill. If all goes well, Noble’s crew will finish and fire up the car by 2011.
Make sure to check out the BBC’s video.
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2. Robert M. | 10.29.08
763 miles per hour is a remarkable achievement. But, the cost of building this new vehicle is extravagant when so many people are in serious need. Perhaps this team could better apply it’s talents toward developing technologies that help others. The pursuit of a new land speed record seems to me to be rather selfish and conceited. It does little more than boost a few egos.
The world needs solutions to help the masses, not fast toys.
3. Bill | 10.29.08
Pointless endevor. British impractically over-the top. May as well shoot the rocket into space.
4. John | 10.29.08
Applying intelligence, science, technology, etc. to overcoming limits inevitably leads to progress that eventually benefits most of mankind.
5. Mike | 10.30.08
If sponsors are willing to put up money, they must see value in it, at least for them. I agree R&D eventually pays off, even if it’s only to serve as an example of what didn’t work or wasn’t worth it. Only one way to find out.
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1. Thomas | 10.29.08
why.. what is the point of this craft? people need to get real jobs. PLEASE