Currently the Digital Internet Site together with its three web cameras is being installed - these will enable the Web Site visitors to see ThrustSSC inside the AireShelta inflatable hangar, inside the Pit Station Control Centre, and an external view of the desert and the camp from the outside of the Pit Station. Pictures will change every 15 minutes. First reports are up on the Web Site - and pictures will follow tomorrow.

Very considerable work is underway on the desert course, which includes fodding (removal of stones by hand), the marking of the white drive lines - each 10 miles long (by which ThrustSSC is driven), and groundwork to improve the desert surface. The track, orientated North-South (which conveniently avoids early morning or late evening glare from the sun) has three crossing points where local desert roads cross the desert. Local traffic is starting to wear grooves in the surface. Additional work is required to fill and compact these areas to avoid bumps which might cause ThrustSSC to fly. Additional roadmaking machinery has been rented from the Royal Jordanian Air Force to make good these grooves and the work started at 0700 am and is expected to be complete tonight.

The remainder of the ThrustSSC Design Team - Ron Ayers, Aerodynamicist, and Glynne Bowsher, Chief Mechanical Designer, arrived last night - along with Martyn Davidson who is responsible for Operations Control. Also in the team is the Thrust Global Radio reporter Graham Swain. Graham is to produce rough edited 5 minute high quality radio reports which will be digitised and put on the Internet for any radio station anywhere to use on a copyright free basis. The objective is to produce accurate and in-depth reports which will add dimension to the available press material. Please access the Web Site to obtain these reports - which can of course be used for press and television reporting also. To our knowledge this is a World First.

In the workshop, ThrustSSC is being prepared for its first runs - and the bodywork panels are being secured and the nose mounted. At this stage the plan is to make two runs tomorrow (26th) at 120mph and 300mph - the objective being to first prove that the new steering changes to suspension and the use of the twin keeled rear wheels work well - and then to run the car to 300mph thus reaching the same speed range as achieved last year. Also being proven for the first time is the use of the Pegasus Quantum Microlight spotting aircraft which is to be allowed to make safety flights only to check the desert perimeter for vehicle and camel movements and also spot during the ThrustSSC runs. The Quantum is flown by World Champion Simon Baker.

A typical run day for the team starts with wake up at 0400 - first runs around 6.30-7am and completion of the programme before midday. Dinner is at 1800 followed by the evening briefing - which itself is dependant on the Design Team Meeting held after the runs to determine the next days work on the car and run profiles. Actual operational timetable is managed by Martyn Davidson the Ops Controller. Currently the project is moving ahead very fast with growing individual workloads. Maintenance of the programme and timetable is dependant on good teamwork and the ability to maintain a high level of team morale, communication and personal workload under very hot conditions.

It may not be possible to run ThrustSSC on the 27th due to military activity on the range. We expect to know more about this on Monday, since today is a National Holiday in Jordan. It is intended to continue the programme on the 28th running a further two runs each day.

This is a copyright free report service provided by ThrustSSC. A complimentary copyright free service which includes reports and quality digital photos appears on the ThrustSSC Digital Web Site - please access on http://thrustssc.digital.co.uk. There will be a further report tomorrow.

Contact ThrustSSC at thrust.news@battlement.digital.co.uk

Please use Web site (http://thrustssc.digital.co.uk) live press pack.

Press materials available to visitors to Jafr. Visitors, please advise by Email or Fax.

UK Media Update Service - Tel: 0839-888-850 (45p/min)

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