The ThrustSSC supersonic car made its first 136mph run on the 26th to test systems after the flight from UK. The run target speed was 120mph using with a brief use of military power selected at 80mph. Driver Andy Green reported that the steering response was generally good and far better than in 1996. The steering felt less precise than when the car was on rubber tyres operating on the Farnborough runway which was to be expected. Suspension ride was also better than in 1996 and the run generated great confidence.

Subsequent analysis of the video and data records showed a possible recurrence of the vibration/oscillation problem on the rear steering wheels. It was seen that the rear wheels gave a slight kick when the car hit raised dust patches on the course. During the 27th of May this was investigated in great detail and it was decided that there was no evidence of the 1996 shimmy and that the steering system was intact - the effect possibly being magnified by camera position and angle. To deal with the small steering deflections caused by the dust patches, steering dampers were fitted. The car will be run again at the same speed over the same track so that evidence can be compared.

If this is successful then a cautionary run at 200mph will be taken tomorrow - and with satisfactory results the original programme can be resumed.

The heat and conditions in the Jordanian desert are uncomfortable for the Team - and the ThrustSSC onboard computers are feeling the heat also. The Design Team has taken the decision not to run in temperatures above 25C, and the striking black car will be towed out to start with its protective cover on - to minimise heat build up.

In order to run the car at dawn the team have to start with breakfast at 0400 - and the long days often end around 8pm. Morale is good and there is solid belief that the team will be back on programme in the next day or so.

On the 27th around 4pm there was a very considerable sandstorm which engulfed the desert camp causing considerable static discharges in the Pit Trailer communications centre. The storm also caused a violent and unseasonal thunderstorm at the Jafr camp which reminded everyone that the project tends to bring rain wherever it goes. Due to the high ambient temperatures the rain is not a problem since the damp soon flashes off.

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