A British attempt at the land speed record has been given a major boost by HeavyLift-VolgaDnepr, the Anglo-Russian joint venture cargo airline, which is flying the ThrustSSC car, its trailer and support equipment to speed trials in Jordan in July and the USA's Black Rock Desert this autumn, where it will compete head-to-head against an American challenger.
The ThrustSSC project is the brainchild of Richard Noble, the current holder of the land speed record at 633.47 miles per hour (mph), achieved in October 1983 in the USA.
This new world record attempt follows a four-year research and development programme by Richard Noble and a team of specialist engineers. ThrustSSC will be driven by RAF pilot, Andy Green.
In July, the vehicle will board one of HeavyLift-VolgaDnepr's nine Antonov 124-100 freight aircraft, which can carry up to 120 tonnes in weight, at Farnborough in Hampshire, UK, for a five-hour flight to Jordan where the car will undergo high-speed tests in the Jafr Desert.
In the Autumn, ThrustSSC will set off again, this time to Reno, ready for a head-to-head challenge with former land speed record holder, Craig Breedlove, who has been developing his own vehicle in the USA.
Richard Noble said: "It is fitting that ThrustSSC should be flown by the world's largest commercial freighter aircraft. The support of HeavyLift-VolgaDnepr has given the project a huge boost because we had been preparing for a long ocean crossing and lengthy truck journey to Jordan and the USA. Particularly in the case of Reno, the airline's support means we can drive the car onto the aircraft onboard its trailer unit as well as all of our support equipment and could be on the desert and ready to go within 24 hours, which is a terrific advantage".
Graham Pearce, commercial director of HeavyLift-Volga Dnepr, and Sergey Ponomarchouk, co-executive manager of the joint venture airlines, stated: "We are delighted to be involved in this exciting initiative, which so well demonstrates the assets and values of air cargo transportation - speed, safety and security, and additionally the full capability of the Antonov 124. We believe the aircraft will create a grand entrance for ThrustSSC on its arrival in Jordan and the USA".
Based at London's Stansted Airport, HeavyLift-Volga Dnepr is an outsize cargo specialist working predominantly with the aerospace, oil and gas, engineering and relief agency sectors.
For further information please contact:
Jamie Roche JRPR Limited Tel: +44-(0)1753-621-666
 |
 |
 |
||
| Sponsored by | This site best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 3 | |||
 |
 |
 |
||