The Bloodhound Supersonic Car reaches 200mph (322kmh) in eight seconds.
The Bloodhound Supersonic Car (SSC) is on course to to break the world landspeed record of 1,000mph (1,600km/h). To achieve the immense power output needed to reach the target speed, the project team - led by previous record-winning designer Richard Noble - is using an EJ200 jet engine, rocket propulsion and a variety of high-performance lubricants from Castrol.
During its most recent outing at Cornwall Airport in the UK, the vehicle reached an overall speed of 210mph (338kmh) on the 2.7km runway.
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Bloodhound SSC Image: Katie Chan |
The SSC motor produces a staggering 100,669kW, more than six times the total power output of the entire field of starters in a Formula One race.
Castrol has been involved in helping to break 21 land speed records, from Sir Malcolm Campbell’s first attempt in 1924 (146mph / 235kmh) to Noble's Thrust and Thrust 2 vehicles (which still holds the record at 763 mph (1,228 kmh).
Richard Noble said, "When it comes to the record attempts, we’ve got to get the highest power to weight ratio as we possibly can. We’ve got to get the car as light as we can and yet maintain its strength."
The Bloodhound SSC is set to got to the Hakskeen Pan in South Africa with an initial speed target of 1,287 km/h.
The team will then return to the UK to review the data before heading back to South Africa aiming to make Bloodhound SSC the first land vehicle to reach 1,000 miles per hour, or 1,609kmh,