23 August 2006

BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS - TWO FIA INTERNATIONAL LAND SPEED RECORDS

Time: 12:45 (US)

Temperature: 38°C

Location: Wendover airfield, Utah

After the elation of breaking the long-standing diesel-powered record yesterday and the massive media attention it created, the team had to regain its focus to go back on the Salt Flats today and attempt to raise the record speed.

With the crew in place and the many film crews distributed at the key points the first run began at 07.39 with the car running towards Floating Mountain. It looked very fast and it was with Andy Green flying to a speed of 365.774mph. Faster than planned such a stunning speed was due in part to the difficulty of coping with the inevitable turbo lag that comes with JCB DIESELMAX’s immense power. Clearly the car was not short of pace as Andy has yet to use sixth gear!

By 8.20 the car had been prepared for the return run. It did not start well. The in-car video recording shows how Andy struggled to get the turbos, particularly the front one, up on to boost. Overnight changes to improve the engine’s cooling appeared to have over-achieved the objective.

After what seemed like an eternity the engine’s came on boost and Andy gunned the car to the timed mile. Despite the lost time the second run was completed with a speed of 335.695mph. Average for the two runs was 350.695mph.

The JCB DIESELMAX had set a new land speed record and achieved all of the objectives set by the project team. A wonderful result.

Some thought was given to running again the following day but by mid-afternoon Dr Tim Leverton, Project Director, addressed the whole team and told them of his decision to stop running. He explained that the team had achieved everything it set out to do!

Time for team photographs with the car on the Flats and many more media interviews for Andy and Tim before a ‘small celebration’ for the yellow army who have worked with such determination and energy.