One of the great surprises of our time was the call to Thrust from the BLM this week. Sally Noble took it and was told that the BLM was now prepared to issue permits for the Black Rock and that Craig Breedlove would be operational on site in 5 days!

Just how the objections from some of the most powerful environmentalist groups in the US had been set aside was not clear. Previously we had been told that there would be no more permits issued until Washington had evaluated the objections - and that would mean at least 45 days if not 60. And will the not-normally-passive environmentalists sit back and accept the BLM ruling? How often is change achieved that way?

(Black Rock Desert from a balloon)

The situation posed a dilemma for the Thrust team. If Black Rock remained dry into late November then there would be both the distance and time to raise the record substantially. In Jordan we have the better track already surveyed and laid out, but the distance is 10.2 miles absolute - without run-off distance - whereas Black Rock can boast five or more miles at each end, making the track safer. Jordan has the better and more consistent surface and far better facilities. But above all Jordan has a weather window which will stay dry until Christmas - whereas Black Rock is at 4,000ft, and gets the full benefit of the bitter Nevada winters - which can start in October.

(Craig Breedlove and a model of Spirit of America)

If we were to switch plans and go to Nevada - then the track would have to be surveyed, marked and cleaned taking around 10 days and then the time and facilities would have to shared with Craig Breedlove - which would slow both teams productivity.

Robin Richardson had just been to Bonneville and met up with the Spirit of America team. He reported that the Spirit had made one 85mph run and the team seemed reluctant to run again. Robin went on to Black Rock and reported the surface strangely wet - he was unable to make it onto the desert at Access 1. And the BLM have reported rain - already.

(Richard Noble marking out the track in Jafr Desert)

So we've booked the Antonov for Jordan departing on the 26th - have we got it right? Will the weather hold for Breedlove and enable him to go faster on the Black Rock than we can on Jafr? The time has got to be against him and he is going to have to push car and team to the limit to get there against the inexorable onset of winter. But Craig Breedlove is always at his best in those situations!

It's one Hell of a challenge - already!

The author of this article, Richard_Noble, is the ThrustSSC's Project Leader and held the World Land Speed Record from 1983 to 1997.

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