Supersonic Bloodhound Carries Out First Public Trials

Picture Credit: Bloodhound SSC

The British supersonic Bloodhound car, combining the technology of a fighter jet, spacecraft and F1 vehicle, has made its first public runs in Cornwall.

Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green, the vehicle reached a peak speed of 200mph at Newquay Airport.

Bloodhound is the world's most advanced straight-line racing car, designed to reach 1,000mph, it will attempt to break the world land speed record in 2019.

It is powered by a Rolls Royce EJ200 jet engine, sourced from a Eurofighter Typhoon, which produces a peak thrust equivalent to the combined output of 360 family cars. 

Bloodhound has taken the team of Bristol-based engineers, with the help of engineers in the REME, over nine years to build the vehicle.  

The two runway trials at Newport Airport in Cornwall come after a series of tests to check its brakes, steering and data system. 

Wing Commander Green said:

"The Car is designed for high speed on a desert rather than sprint performance off the line, but it still accelerates from zero to 200mph in less than 8 seconds.

"Stopping a slippery, 5-tonne car, running on low grip aircraft tyres, within a limited space, is also a challenge, particularly as the Car continues accelerating for several seconds after I lift off the throttle.

"BLOODHOUND SSC is already performing like a thoroughbred racing car, supported by a brilliant engineering team."

It is 20 years since Wing Commander Andy Green drove Thrust SSC (Super Sonic Car) in the Arizona desert, making history to become the first person to breach the sound barrier at 763.035 mph.

Bloodhound SCC will attempt its ultimate goal of the land speed record on a special track that has been prepared on a dried-out lakebed in Northern Cape, South Africa.

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