In this issue ...
On Monday 17 June 1996 at the RAC Club in Pall Mall, HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein and Richard Noble gave the World’s press the news that Jordan was the location for THRUST SSC’s first high speed development runs prior to attempts on the existing Land Speed Record at Black Rock, Nevada in September. Based at Al Jafr, the team will fly out from Farnborough in early July and spend about 3 weeks getting themselves and the car checked out for the head to head with Craig Breedlove later in the year. 10 miles of track is available at Al Jafr and since it is harder than Black Rock, the reduced drag should enable sensible speeds to be reached quite quickly - assuming all goes well. This is where the years of research and planning finally face up to the acid test and where we need your help one more time to meet the enormous financial burden of this critical series of development runs.
At the recent Farnborough Roadshows, Richard revealed that over seventy percent of total project income has been derived from commercial activities and only thirty percent from corporate sponsorship - no wonder we’re all so tired! Now that the car is nearly finished, sponsor interest has increased dramatically and new sponsors are joining the project at a regular rate, some with fairly unique deals. The latest are ICL/Fujitsu who have bought the PC rights for the project, including those used in the mobile pit station, while Land Rover have supplied vehicles and provided funding by giving us three limited edition SSC Discoverys to sell. Painted black to match the car and with special SSC logos, we are currently exploring the best ways of turning these into cash for three lucky new owners.
Only one public appearance will be made before the Jordan runs and that will be at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June. If you’re going, come along to say hello and wish us luck. We have a new T Shirt and model available to mark the Jordan adventure, along with a special Jordan Collector’s Certificate to add to your existing collection of certificates marking special events in the project’s history. We know that those of you collecting these want the full set and as always, your contribution makes a real difference. If every club member buys a Jordan Certificate it will give the project a tremendous boost and you will play your part in ensuring that we take the next steps on the road to that supersonic record.
To mark the historic use of the Al Jafr desert as a new LSR location, we have produced a special Jordan T shirt featuring a camel and a palm tree in the design - well what else did you expect? And to go with your T shirt, how about Issue 2 of the Lledo model? Produced in a special box carrying full details of the record attempt and showing the flags of both countries, this limited edition model is a must for all followers of the project. Thrust SSC is to travel to Jordan in a silver aluminium finish because of the intense heat. The new Lledo model is finished in silver and carries all the latest sponsor decals along with the crossed flags of the countries involved on the nose of the car - traditional for British LSR cars operating overseas. Demand will be high, especially with the car taking its first crack at the record. Details of how to order are at the end of this Bulletin.
Because time is so tight before leaving for Jordan, we don’t yet know exactly when the shakedown run for Gold Card members will take place. We appreciate that this may cause concern, especially since the holiday season is in full flow, but please bear with us. Runway time at Farnborough has to be negotiated and we have to concentrate all efforts on getting the car complete. You will get an invite to see the car run - that’s a promise. As soon as we get back from Jordan, we will also be making the draw for the 'Be a Team Member for a Week' competition, so one lucky member is going to have the trip of a lifetime, getting to see the car in action at Black Rock and actually working with the team.
But rather than relying on winning the competition, what about coming to Jordan or Black Rock anyway as part of your holiday? Since we have a little more time for Black Rock, we have a fact sheet available, along with deals on flights and tips about what to do and where to stay. Many of you have expressed an interest in helping with the track team - The Desert Patrol - so write now (enclosing a 25p stamped self-addressed A4 envelope) for details. But first, it’s Jordan - full details as follows:
The first desert trials of Thrust SSC are planned for 15 July until the first week in August. Following engine run up and car running tests at Farnborough, the team plan to fly out on 12 July, but this could be delayed. The team are planning to run the car every day, very early in the morning, as long as technical development, wind, weather and desert safety are 100%.
We have negotiated special fares out to Amman (from London Heathrow) on Royal Jordanian Airways for Mach 1 Club members, through either of the following specialist travel agencies:
When booking, please quote Reference: Mach 1, and please give permission for the travel agency to tell us that you will be coming to Jordan, both so that we can put you in touch with each other if possible - and, of course, request your help if and when we might need you - they can only tell us with your permission!
There are many hotels in both Amman and Petra, of different grades and prices for all budgets. We have negotiated some special rates for Mach 1 Club members, for example:
There are two ways to get to Al Jafr, about 250km from Amman: rental cars are available from all well-known agencies, eg £260 per week (Group C) incl. Tax/CDW/unlimited mileage (via 2000 Travel Management - see above), or Hertz special rate arranged via Forte Grand Hotel, Amman (via hotel - see above). The Forte Grand will also be organising coach trips down to Al Jafr to see the runs, leaving at 3.00 am for the sunrise run, including a brunch buffet and special hangar visit - price is indicated as 45 Jordanian dinars, c. £47.
Al Jafr is about 250km south of Amman, about 3 hrs drive on a good road. It is a very small village with a large Royal Jordanian Airforce base, where the team will live. The desert site is to the east of the village, reached via a rough desert track leading to the spectating area/pits. Please note that there is no accommodation, restaurant or petrol at Al Jafr, so you will need to bring your own supplies of water and sun protection and don’t forget that you need a large hat - expect daytime temperatures above 35 degrees C. Unfortunately, airbase security will only allow visits on base to organised tours. The nearest town is Ma’an, about 50km away, but the best place to stay is Petra, about 90 mins away, with a huge choice of hotels of all grades and prices.
Jordan is a spectacular country with some wonderful places to visit - Petra, Jerash, Wadi Rum, Wadi Mujib, Karak, Madaba, Mount Nebo, the Dead Sea and Red Sea diving at Aqaba - combine seeing THRUST SSC run with visiting this fantastic country!
Sadly, we cannot handle bookings or make arrangements for you, and cannot be held liable for any of the above tours or arrangements, which are all offered by reputable travel professionals and subject to availability.
Visas: - from Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (Tel: 0891 171 261).
Don’t forget your vaccinations and the usual holiday insurance!
ORDER FORM (Please print, cross out what is not applicable and send it in to
Mach 1 Club,Name:............................Membership No........................ Address:.............................................................. ...................................................................... Post Code:...............................Tel No:......................
LLEDO THRUST SSC MODEL - JORDAN EDITION
Please send me the following Jordan edition Thrust SSC
collector’s model(s) by Lledo
Cost: £16.00 each
plus £1 postage & packing each, or £3 overseas
I enclose a cheque for £............ payable to SSC Programme Ltd
JORDAN CERTIFICATE
Please send me my special £10.00 Jordan Record Attempt
Certificate to show that I have made a vital contribution to the
first attempts on the LSR by Thrust SSC
I enclose a cheque for £............ payable to
SSC Programme Ltd
JORDAN T SHIRT OFFER
Please send me the following T shirts: Price is £10 for childrens
and £14 for small, medium, large and extra large sizes (plus £1
postage & packing in the UK or £3 overseas).
Size: Number p&p total cost child ..... ...... ....... small ..... ...... ....... medium ..... ...... ....... large ..... ...... ....... X large ..... ...... .......
I enclose a cheque for £................ payable to SSC Programme Ltd
Please send an A4 size STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE with all orders - Thank you
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