Sunday 1st June was spent servicing ThrustSSC following the successful run of 410mph on Saturday 31st May. No major problems have been highlighted. It has been very much a day spent applying long-term modifications and general servicing.
New SPAX dampers, just arrived from the UK, have been fitted to the steering during the service day. Always planned as a long term application, this will enable the car to control 'bump steer' as it progresses upwards through the speed range. This work will continue during Monday 2nd June.
Detailed inspection of the engines is essential after each run day to maintain high efficiency and reliability. Chris Cowell and Steve Wiltshire religiously check oil levels, air compressors, magnetic bearing monitors, panels for fluid leaks and rear of engines for jet pipe cracks or damage from stones. A general clean up is of course done as a matter of routine.
Design adjustments to the parachutes were planned during the day. These will increase stability, following a slight oscillation discovered at the higher speeds now being achieved by ThrustSSC.
Mike Hearn has made dramatic progress with support from a great team effort of "fodders", preparing 13 track-miles of track in one day. This is critical preparation work as ThrustSSC is consuming available tracks at great speed as the team successfully undertake more runs at faster speeds.
Pushing themselves almost to the point of exhaustion, this supreme effort has contributed no short measure to the success now being experience by ThrustSSC.
Early morning rising at 3:30am, coupled with all day working at the desert pit station peaking in the 40 degree heat, is currently generating 100 man-hours per man per week. Team morale is good, with a determination to achieve even higher speeds. Demonstration, if needed, of this team's total commitment to success.
The design team are preparing runs of 450mph and 500mph peak ground speed for Tuesday 3rd June, subject to satisfactory progress with the engineering work on Monday 2nd June. Ron Ayers, the team's Aerodynamicist, will be collecting valuable data to enable progression to higher speeds.
Systems are all in hand for the anticipated media interest over the next few days. Nick Chapman (Public Relations) will be coordinating the issue of requisite passes on fax applications to (009626 886141). A strict system is to be applied regarding access to the run site according to passes which will be clearly detailed on acceptance of your application. There will be no exceptions from this procedure.
| SSC Run No. | Date and time | Peak ground speed | Team comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 31/5/97 | 410 mph | Planned incremental speed increase |
| 29 | 31/5/97 | 379 mph | Planned incremental speed increase |
| 28 | 30/5/97 | 301 mph | Planned incremental speed increase |
| 27 | 30/5/97 | 208 mph | Planned incremental speed increase |
| 26 | 27/5/97 | 114 mph | Engineering check run (aborted) |
| 25 | 26/5/97 | 136 mph | Engineering check run |
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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