The ThrustSSC Team are scheduled to return to Jordan to continue high-speed testing of ThrustSSC on 20th May.

Live Information

The very latest status of ThrustSSC can be seen through the Microplex Web Camera in the workshop in P8R Shed, DRA, Farnborough:

Please note:

• The Web Camera photo is updated every 15 minutes
• ThrustSSC will not be in the picture during tests or visits to exhibitions
• If the image is black, it's night-time and the workshop lights are off!

Please click here for more information on the Microplex Web Camera.

Please note: The Microplex Web Camera will be taken offline on Saturday 17th May for packing and transport to Jordan. It will be back online on Thursday 22nd May.

Individual Status Reports

Car

1. Design modifications to the rear suspension and steering to cure the high-speed shimmy are complete
2. Work to bring ThrustSSC up to supersonic standard is complete
3. Painting of the car in BASF Supersonic Black is complete

Team

1. The Team are in good shape and are looking forward to their return to Jordan on May 20th
2. The advance desert party are in Jordan to prepare the houses and begin desert preparations

Jafr Desert, Jordan

1. The Jafr Desert, Jordan, has dried well after the winter floods and is now usable. The surface is generally better than 1996, with less repair work required to the Bedouin crossing tracks. Hardness is currently 14 or better on the California Bearing Ratio scale.
2. The tracks require 'fodding' (clearing of major stones and debris). Much of the stone clearance is already done from the 1996 operations. Research has established that many of the smaller stones need not be picked up.

Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA

Negotiations with the Bureau of Land Management are underway for the operating permit for this autumn's head-to-head with Craig Breedlove and the Spirit of America.

Equipment

Being prepared for Jordan.

Jeremy Duck

... is still around and looking forward to visiting the Middle East.

Plans for the coming week

• Car:
  1. Wednesday: Final reheat checks at Boscombe Down
  2. Load and transport to Jordan
• Pit Station Trailer
  1. Load equipment and transport to Jordan
• Car Trailer
  1. Load and transport to Jordan
• Equipment
  1. Preparation and packing
  2. Transport to Jordan
• Jafr Desert
  1. Complete preparations
• Web Site
  1. Updates to continue to Sunday
  2. Pack computer equipment and transport to Jordan

Please check our Runs Database for the very latest information on the progress of ThrustSSC - the database is always updated as soon as possible after the car runs - and always before any report is written and published.

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