Fairly soon, the most powerful land speed record breaker in the world, Thrust SSC, will be ready to drive. So what will Andy Green be wearing when he drives this remarkable vehicle?
Andy will need equipment which will be comfortable in the heat of the desert but which will also protect him in the unlikely event of an accident. Not surprisingly, much of his clothing is based on the flying equipment that he has been using in fast jets for the last 10 years.
Andy’s suit is made from a double layer of ‘Panotex’, supplied by Universal Carbon Fibres, who also sponsored Thrust 2 and made Richard Noble’s record-breaking suit. Panotex is a remarkable substance, which looks like cotton but can withstand over 1000 degrees centigrade! It is also treated to repel liquid, including fuel - you can pour petrol onto it and it will just run off again. So if Panotex is so great, why don’t Formula 1 drivers use it? The reason is simple - like Henry Ford’s Model T, Panotex comes in any colour as long as it’s black.... no good for posing in the pit-lane, but perfect for the driver of the jet-black car. Andy also has a set of underwear made from a blend of wool and Panotex (for its insulating properties, not because he’s expecting a fire in his underpants!).
The rugged construction of the SSC and the driving position, right in the middle of the Car, means that Andy is incredibly well-protected in the event of an accident - this is just one of the many advantages of having a twin-engined car. Andy still needs basic head protection just in case, but he also needs an air supply in case of fire or fumes in the cockpit - this is beyond the ability of Formula 1 helmets, where the driver can immediately get out of the car if there is a problem, so the choice for the SSC is an RAF fighter-pilot’s helmet. The driving helmet has been specially made for the SSC by Helmet Integrated Systems. Made from Kevlar, the helmet is light and strong and is integrated with an air mask which will give a guaranteed air supply for up to 30 minutes - more than enough.
The major problem with using a flying helmet is that it is open-face - in the event of a fire, Andy needs protection for his face and in particular his eyes. Again Panotex has come in useful, providing a balaclava to protect Andy’s face. To protect Andy’s eyes from any risk, Bolle (the sunglasses company) have supplied a specially-made set of goggles which can even withstand splashes of molten metal. The result is to make Andy very well-protected in the event of a fire.
Gloves? Panotex again. Boots? Standard nomex driving boots (sadly, Panotex can’t do everything!). And that’s about it - Thrust SSC will have one of the best-protected drivers, driving one of the safest cars, in the history of the land speed record.
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