Spring is here! Winter's gone - thank god - and the long hard slog of getting everything ready for dealing with our 'unfinished business' is almost over. Was it busy at Farnborough? - busier than a one armed juggler I'd say, but as always that's half the fun of doing something as rewarding and challenging as this. If you're one of the many new members who've joined recently, then a special welcome to this Project Bulletin. We've got lots on offer to all members, new and old, but as ever, before we get into that, here's Richard's latest update telling you exactly where we are with things.
Well, this is it - the Antonov is booked and we fly to Azraq in Jordan at the end of the month. I have just returned from the US where we have been setting up the bid head to head with Spirit of America - that is now on and we start running on September 2nd. Two days ago, Martyn Davidson and I were on the Black Rock Desert - most of it is dry and the surface is outstanding. This is going to be a hell of a year!
As is usual in this business, everytime we take the car overseas, we bet the entire project on the outcome. Not only do we have an open ended budget, but this may result in an overrun of over 100% depending on what happens - how for instance can we make essential repairs or changes to Thrust SSC if the money isn't in the budget. Of course we have to close our eyes and just do it.
So this is the position - we have to get a good result in Jordan or there is a real danger that the project comes to an end. As the Project Director, I have the painful duty to stop the project if we think that it's not going to go any further. But that very much the black side - we have all learned a great deal since the first trip to Jordan - the car is complete, painted and looks a billion dollars, and the team is very committed and deeply confident. Personally, I think we'll have our problems, but the chances are good.
Now to the club: did you know that the Mach 1 Club and the merchandise sales have now funded over 17% of the entire project revenue? It's a huge contribution and it's very valuable not only because of its size but also because it's much more dependable than the sponsorships which often tend to be political decisions. True to our promise, we are putting a large Mach 1 Club logo on the Thrust SSC nose.
Which brings us on to Jordan. Obviously we need to generate as much money as we possibly can, so the offers are on the table in front of you and we hope that you will want to respond. We have Jordan 2 certificates signed by Andy and me, or the whole team depending on which you choose. The new Thrust SSC Expedition watch is being produced by Timex with its face being an exact copy of Andy's cockpit Machmeter. There are also Thrust SSC Team green polo shirts, and if you are a Gold Card Member, the opportunity to have your Gold Number painted in gold on the outside of the rear fuselage of Thrust SSC - forever. And on top of that, we are finalising a deal to charter our own aircraft to fly you out to Jordan.
We've got a real chance now, so I hope to see you at Farnborough for a Farewell Club Open Day on Sunday April 27th, and then in Jordan with your certificate, watch and team green polo shirt!
Best wishes and thanks for all your help,
This Club just gets bigger and bigger!! Thanks to your efforts to spread the word and recruit new members, we now have another 25 Gold Card members and well over a hundred standard members - there seems to be just no end to the number of interested people who want to be involved. A special "Well Done" to I P Williams who won our latest recruitment campaign prize draw - a new T Shirt is on its way to you. Thanks also to those who helped make the BBC Tomorrow's World Live Exhibition such a success. In fact, we even asked some regular helpers to give this one a miss in order to give others a chance. There was huge interest shown in the car at the NEC - not surprising really - it looked simply stunning!!
In the last Bulletin, we also asked for volunteers to 'fod' the tracks in Jordan and were amazed by the response. It gave us a few headaches before we sorted it all out, but we now have the list and some reserves just in case. The 'fodders' are a good mix of new volunteers, a couple of old hands, and a couple who travelled to Jordan last time and who know the ropes. Again, thanks to all those who volunteered and don't be too disappointed if you didn't make it - there will be plenty of other chances to help at Black Rock later in the year.
Many of you have told us that you plan to go to Jordan to see the car run - and you really must if you can - so we are trying to charter a plane. The deal isn't done yet, but if you do think that you might be going, please write to us at the usual address and send a medium sized stamped addressed envelope so that we can send details. If you want to travel independently, that's fine, but again we can send details of car hire, hotels and general advice if you want us to. First hand reports tells us that things look very, very favourable.
We can't wait to get back and get on with things!!
Now that the car is complete, we'll be showing things off to the Press, so watch out for articles in magazines and newspapers during the last week in April. But if you want to see things first hand, we've managed to fit in one more Open Day as a 'Farewell' event prior to Jordan. The date is Sunday April 27th. The design team will be there to give their latest presentations and answer your questions. If you are a new member and you haven't visited us before, then we can promise you a fantastic day's entertainment. And for all you collectors out there, we'll also be auctioning some parts from the car such as the steering column, a titanium panel and some suspension parts from when it made its first Jordan runs. These are real one off opportunities and what else would you do with your money, anyway!!
You wouldn't expect us to let a Project Bulletin go by without a few other special offers now would you? - so here goes! Many of you have been collecting the Certificates marking significant steps in project progress and since getting back to Jordan is just such an event, we now have a Jordan 2 certificate on offer. Even if you haven't got the others, they are a very collectible one-off memento of the event. £12.50 gets you a certificate signed by Richard and Andy, while £20.00 gets you the super de luxe version signed by the whole team - got to be worth it!
What about a new watch? Details of the new Timex Thrust SSC Expedition watch are included elsewhere, but in the meantime, if you're a Gold Card` Member, how would you like your membership number painted in Gold on the outside of the rear fuselage. The cost is £100. Yes, it's a lot of money, but your number will be on the car forever and when it finally ends up on tour, and then in a museum somewhere, we'll make sure that a list of names and numbers are displayed with the car so the world will know the contribution that you've made. As with all these offers, all the money goes directly towards running the car. Thank you for your continued support and we'll see you on April 27th.
Please print or copy the form below and return to PO Box 77 at the address below.
Name:................................................................ Membership No....................... Address:............................................................. ..................................................................... ..................................................................... ..................................................................... Post Code:........................................................... Tel No:...................................................
Please paint my Gold Card Number on the outside of the rear fuselage in Gold where it will remain for the duration of the project. I enclose a cheque for £100. (please tick here .....)
Please upgrade my membership to Gold Card status so that I can take advantage of the above offer. I enclose a cheque for £160 for the upgrade and Gold number on Thrust SSC.
Please reserve ............(enter number) place(s) for on April 27th for the 'Jordan Farewell' Farnborough Open Day. Price is £10 each for members and guests. I enclose a cheque for the total cost and a Stamped Addressed Envelope for confirmation and instructions.
Please send me the following Jordan 2 certificates signed by Richard Noble and Andy Green, or the whole Thrust SSC Team :
Under an extraordinary licencing arrangement with Timex Corporation, who usually only sign deals with the likes of Disney and Timberland, we have reached agreement with them for the special Thrust SSC watch, which is offered here through the Mach 1 Club, and later will be on sale in the shops.
Based on the new top-selling quality Timex Expedition range, the Thrust SSC watch has the following features:
Timex Thrust SSC Expedition watch - Price £50.00 + P&P £2.00
Timex Thrust SSC Expedition watch engraved with your Mach 1 Club number - Price £60.00 + P&P £2.00
Delivery - we aim to turn these round really quickly, but at the worst case, please allow six weeks.
| Ref: SSC29 Polo shirt with embroidered SSC logo - Green, Yellow or White | |
| Adult sizes: XL, L, M, S | £17.00 + £2.00 p&p |
| Child sizes 7/8, child 9/11 | £15.00 + £2.00 p&p |
| Ref: SSC30 Thrust SSC tie - Blue with motif background and SSC logo at tip | £12.00 + £2.00 p&p |
| Ref: SSC31 Thrust SSC tie - Black with diagonal stripes and motif background and SSC logo at tip | £12.00 + £2.00 p&p |
| Ref: SSC32 FASTEST MAN ON EARTH - book on Thrust 2 by David Tremayne - signed by author and Richard Noble | £14.00 + £1.00 p&p |
| Ref: SSC33 Thrust SSC two piece designer glass in special tin | £25.00 + £1.50 p&p |
| Ref:SSC34 New large format 2 sided colour poster featuring Jordan action shots from Paris Match magazine | £5.00 + £2.00 p&p |
| Upgrade from ordinary membership to Gold Card | £60.00 |
To order, please write to the address below stating reference, quantity, size, colour and the total amount including postage & packing. Overseas orders, please add a further £5.00 to your order. Cheques (UK pounds sterling only) payable to SSC Programme Ltd. Visa & Mastercard quoting number and expiry date are also accepted.
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