Having reached 230mph in a successful first run across the Jafr Desert on Tuesday (12th November), and identified changes required to the suspension settings of ThrustSSC, a second run was planned by the team for Friday. Over the intervening two days the settings had been changed and a hosts of checks carried out on the car. In addition, a crossing road at the Mile 4 point had been refilled and leveled by the Royal Jordanian Air Force to avoid a problem experienced on Tuesday’s run where ThrustSSC had momentarily become airborne over the bump.

Thusday had been a cold, windy day by the standards the team have come to expect in Jordan - so much so that the car trailer was moved to the end of the Aireshelta protecting ThrustSSC to act as an additional air break. Friday dawned gloomy and windy as well, and as the day drew on the weather worsened. By early afternoon it was clear that ThrustSSC would not run, and the team stood down.

Today (Saturday) had been planned as a rest day - after 17 days without a break everyone was getting tired and mistakes were happening. Already there was a broken arm and a serious hand injury, among others. However, a check with the meteorologists revealed that a weather window was possible, so the rest day was moved to tomorrow - a high-speed run would provide the planners with the data they needed to determine the future ‘run profiles’ while the remainder took a day off.

Again it was windy this morning, but rather better than the previous days. Weather depending, either a high-speed run and a low-speed run, or just a low-speed run would be made. Both were intended for acquiring information on brake temperatures, bearing temperatures, suspension and steering, while the low speed run would also carry two ‘stills’ cameras outside the car for a photographer arranged by a sponsor.

(ThrustSSC is towed to the start by a Supacat. Photo: Jeremy Davey)

At midday, ThrustSSC was towed by a Supacat from its protective Aireshelta and through the waiting crowd of spectators and media, heading for the south end of the track. A quick shower was reported all along the track - but no decision would be made on which run profile to use until the last minute. By 1400hrs local time the wind was rising very slightly, if anything.

A quick break for a late lunch and the team were ready to roll - one by one they reported in position and ready to start SSC, chase SSC, receive SSC. A high-speed run profile had been decided, followed by a low-speed run. At ten past three, the "Aarooogaah" alarm on the end of the Pit Station Trailer sounded three times - SSC was rolling!

(ThrustSSC at 325mph on Run 17. Photo: Jeremy Davey)

From the Desert Pits the spectators saw the plume of dust grow, slowly at first, then increasingly quickly, and with a roar from the Speys, ThrustSSC charged past running straight down the white line marked on the desert. Speed peaked at 325mph before Andy Green released the triple parachute four and a half miles into his run and braked to a stand.

(ThrustSSC's wheel tracks at Mile 4. Photo: Jeremy Davey)

Along the track and at the finish point the results of the suspension adjustments were plain - SSC’s wheel marks ran perfectly straight down the course, with the pitot tip on the nose barely inches from the centre of the white line. In an inspection at Mile 4 after the days runs, Project Leader Richard Noble and Driver Andy Green declared themselves very happy with the marks.

(ThrustSSC at the finish of Run 17 reflected in a fire helmet. Photo: Jeremy Davey)

Andy Green had had no problems with a rough ride or keeping the car bang on track - indeed he reported that the only deviations he had made were as a result of gusts of crosswind, and they had been easy to correct. He praised the suspension design and the ease with which the adjustments had been made to improve the ride of the car.

(Martyn Davidson enjoys his cigar. Photo: Jeremy Davey)

Operations Controller Martyn "Hawkeye" Davidson, meanwhile, lit up a celebratory King Edward Imperial cigar - staying well clear of the car being refuelled. "Giving up smoking before this trip was a bad idea," he said…

(The sun shines through ThrustSSC's dust cloud. Photo: Jeremy Davey)

There was still time for the second run - a short hop to 100mph for photographs and measurements - and SSC was made ready again. With a roar the Speys spooled up and as Andy released the brakes the jet car forged ahead down the remainder of Track 15. Photographs were difficult, however - the cloud of dust raised by the exhaust blanketed everything from view!

(Rob Hemper and Mike Horne check the bodywork. Photo: Jeremy Davey)

Barely a mile and 110mph down the track, ThrustSSC was once again at a stand with the recovery team closing in. Photographers followed, and as the sun set abreast of the car, they swarmed to get in their sunset shots.

The second run of the day had been another success, and as they packed their equipment and towed the car home to the Aireshelta, the ThrustSSC team knew they could take their rest day in the knowledge that they were progressing well towards their goals.

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