(Thrust SSC awaits Open Day visitors. Photo: Jeremy Davey)

On Saturday 1st, the ThrustSSC Team's base at Q Shed, Defense Research Agency, Farnborough, was visited by 250 eager and fascinated readers of The Times, followed on Sunday 2nd June by another 250 members of ThrustSSC's supporters organisation, the Mach 1 Club. Each day began in a local hotel with the current holder of the World Land Speed Record, Richard Noble, bringing the visitors right up to date with the status of the project and its competitors. Coaches then took groups of 50 through the tight security cordon surrounding the Defense Research Agency and on to Q Shed where work continued uninterrupted on the car.

(Jayne Millington and a customer at the Sales Stand in Q Shed. Photo: Jeremy Davey)

Members of the ThrustSSC Team showed the visitors around this superb facility, where they were able to see not only ThrustSSC herself, but also the Operations Trailer, the Rolls-Royce Spey jet engines, the rear-steer Mini and all the equipment being used by the Team in their quest to break the Sound Barrier on land. The Internet Team were on hand demonstrating the Web Site and explaining to the visiting guests how ThrustSSC will use the Internet to report on the car's progress when it is running in the deserts. As ever, the Sales Stand did brisk business, with the visitors as keen as ever to purchase their souvenirs of this incredible venture.

(Glynne Bowsher explains the mechanical design of ThrustSSC. Photo: Jeremy Davey)

While groups were being shown around Q Shed, a rolling series of presentations by members of the ThrustSSC Team informed those back at the hotel about the background to the project, the competitors, and the research that went into the design of ThrustSSC.

(Andy Green signing posters for Open Day visitors. Photo: Jeremy Davey)

Most apparent of all over the weekend were the deep fascination with the project and the insatiable appetite for information displayed by those attending. The Team were continually bombarded with questions on every aspect of Land Speed Record breaking, together with requests for autographs, or to sign the posters on sale. At the end of each day the visitors returned home even more enthused with the quest to reach Mach 1 than when they arrived - while the hard-working Team members reflected on the success of the latest contribution towards their aim of ensuring that the public is as involved with the Project as they possibly can be. No-one was left wanting.

If you would like more information about up and coming Open Days, please check our Roadshows page. It is updated regularly as soon as details become available.

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