This story begins on the 4th of October 1983 - on the Black Rock Desert, 200 miles north of Reno, Nevada. On that memorable day an English businessman, Richard Noble, drove his Rolls-Royce Avon powered jet-car, Thrust2, to a new World Land Speed Record. With a timed two-way average speed of 633.468mph he extended the mark held by Californian Gary Gabelich for the previous 13 years.

Noble's record did not come easily - this was the third year in succession that he had visited the United States, being forced home by the onset of winter on both previous occasions. Undaunted by his difficulties, Noble wanted to go further: Thrust2 had been originally envisaged as a development vehicle, and had only been developed into a record-breaker when wind-tunnel tests had shown its true potential. Like so many of its predecessors however, it had eventually under-performed compared to its theoretical ability - managing to take the 'mile' record by a bare 2 percent. With an increase of 1 percent required by the governing body before a record is awarded, it had been a close call - in fact although Noble exceeded the 'kilometer' record, he had failed to do so by the required margin. The mile record was sufficient to give him the title of 'The Faster Man On Earth', but it had been a close call.

The next 'magic number' was 700mph, and with Mach 1 - the Sound Barrier - barely 40mph further down the track, Noble saw the potential for a World First. The sponsors had other ideas, the long haul had drained their energies, and they felt it was time to take a rest and reap the benefits. That their decision was a good one cannot be disputed, for every time the record is mentioned today the film is shown of Thrust2 charging across the desert with the rooster tail of dust rising behind. In some cases, the display of their logos has outlasted the sponsors concerned - for the remainder it has proved an exceptional sponsorship.

Noble moved on to new challenges, producing affordable light aircraft and attempting to break the transatlantic boat record, until in 1990 he met 5-times record holder, Craig Breedlove on the Bonneville Salt Flats - a place so often described as the spiritual home of record-breaking. Breedlove told Noble that he had acquired two GE J-79 turbojets, and was planning an attempt on the record. One of the most famous record-breakers of them all was making his comeback. This was the lever Noble needed to revive his dreams of breaking the Sound Barrier on land - but two years were to pass before he met the man who could help him design his next car.

Aerodynamicist Ron Ayers had retired from his family business, spending his time at the Brooklands Museum on the site the famous racetrack with so many record-breaking connections. There he guided tours around the historic facilities, as well as searching the archives for information in an indulgence of his passion for science and researching the question of why so many record-breakers had failed to achieve their design maximums. Ayers arranged a meeting with Donald Campbell's designer and Noble's team manager, Ken Norris, to discuss his research - coincidentally doing so on the same day as the current record holder.

It is a fact of history - as well as no surprise to those who know the individuals concerned - that Noble ran late and Ayers ran early. They met, the idea of a supersonic car was put forward, and the research began.

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