ThrustSSC Press Briefing

12th November 1996

On this day, the ThrustSSC team will attempt to make the first desert runs of the ThrustSSC car on the Jafr desert Jordan. The three runs are planned to familiarise the driver Andy Green with the car handling on the Jafr Desert surface, to acquire crucial data on the rolling resistance interaction between the car’s Dunlop aluminium wheels and the desert surface, its braking ability and then to prove the cars operational data acquisition and telemetry systems.

• Run 1 will involve a gradual acceleration to 130mph (210kph) and then a gradual deceleration to 100mph (160kph). The car will then be accelerated to 230mph (370kph) and allowed to decelerate again this time using the brakes and not exceeding 700°C brake temperatures. The car will the be accelerated to 300mph (480kph) for a final deceleration. If necessary the triple brake parachute will be used.
• Run 2. Here the car will be accelerated rapidly to 450 mph (720kph) and then decelerated using light brake and the triple parachute.
• Run 3. Will be a repeat of Run 2-to compare data collected from Run 2.

Since this is experimental work there will be long pauses between runs and on completion of the runs there will be a conference and photo opportunity with the car and driver Andy Green and the team at the central Pits.

ThrustSSC represents the combined work of 210 international sponsoring companies and around 75,000 man hours of build.

The overall objective is to be the first to achieve Mach 1 on land, against American and Australian competition - and this is expected in 1997. The ThrustSSC team is most grateful to the people of Jordan for their permission to use the Jafr desert - which offers a harder surface and longer weather window than the traditional American sites. At this time the maximum safe speed for ThrustSSC on the Jafr desert is unknown but following success of these first runs the design team (Ron Ayers - aerodynamics, Glynne Bowsher - mechanical and structural, and Jeremy Bliss - electronic systems) will be able to calculate the maximum speed at which ThrustSSC can be run and still be able to stop in safety on the Jafr Desert.

The current World Land Speed Record is help by Richard Noble - ThrustSSC Project Director at 633.468mph (1019.44kph).

Full details and photos of the days events will be available on the project Web Site http://thrustssc.digital.co.uk. Full media log-on and update service available on (44)-181-308-6520.

ENDS

In order to carry out these runs in safety all spectators will be advised of safe positions and will be expected to obey all safety instructions. Motor racing is dangerous and all spectators attend at their own risk.

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