When you build big, you have to transport big! At 54 feet long, getting ThrustSSC out of its build premises in Fontwell will be a major undertaking and getting it back in even more so. For that reason, we have agreed to keep the car elsewhere once G Force have completed it. We have been offered an exceptional location and we will tell you all about that when we can, but there are one or two other little details that need sorting before then. Like, how to transport a car this size around the UK let alone around the world.
Plane Trucking Ltd have been moving the mock-up and associated Roadshow equipment around for some time and as experts in this field they are designing and building a specially modified trailer with extensions in all directions capable of taking the actual car. Now, of course, you don't just back this out of the garage, load-up and set off! Every journey will be the subject of careful planning with the police and respective authorities. It should be quite a sight on the M25 though!
Moving the car, support vehicles and team half way around the world is even more of a challenge. Original thoughts were that the car would have to be shipped from Southampton to New York before a drive across the USA to Nevada. That should have stopped the traffic alright! But then salvation arrived in the form a some real specialists in this area, the transport airline Heavylift based at Stansted Airport, Essex. Aviation buffs will know that amongst other things they operate ex-Royal Airforce Short Belfasts, the last really big four- engined propeller transport aircraft built in the UK. But they also use something even more spectatular, the mighty Antonov AN124, the world's largest aeroplane bar none.
Heavylift will move the entire Thrust Team, car, trailer, support vehicles and people in one operation flying direct from Stansted on a 13 hour transatlantic journey to Reno - the car won't even have to come off its trailer. From Reno, it's then only a two hour drive northwards to Black Rock. Amazingly, thanks to Heavylift, the whole operation could be on the desert and ready to go within 24 hours of getting the green light. If another site is found in the southern hemisphere suitable for spring runs, this extremely generous service will be even more valuable. Well done Heavylift!
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