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Saturday, December 13, 2008

Not just hot air: British Steam Car in the running to break speed record

By Daily Mail Reporter

A British Steam Car is a step closer to breaking the longest held speed record after completing a number of successful runs.

After a first successful low-speed run last week at Newton Park, the car was shipped to the MoD's Thorney Island facility near Portsmouth for a series of higher speed runs this week.

The British-built steam car powers up at Thorney Island

A team of six engineers have been learning how to launch the car and turn it around quickly for its return run within the hour. Eventually Freezing temperatures forced the team to pack up and return to base in Lymington, Hampshire.

The British team hope to break the land speed record of 128mph in California next year and have spoken to officials at Edwards Air Force Base about running the car on the dry lakebed, once it has dried out following winter rains.

Test driver Don Wales (second left) looks on during British trials

The record was set by Fred Marriott in his Stanley Steam back in 1906.

The car is being test driven by Don Wales, nephew of tragic speed legend Donald Campbell.

A team spokeswoman said: "It is the team's intention to victoriously claim the world record first at 150mph and then at a later date, 200mph mark.'

But the team also has a 'longer-term' objective to develop greener modes of transport.

'With growing public concern about environmental issues, engineers are looking at viable alternatives to the combustion engine,' the spokeswoman said.

Watch footage of one of the first runs...



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