Bloodhound SSC jet-powered car makes first public run ahead of speed record attempt

The jet-powered car that is angling to beat the decades-old land speed world record accomplished its first public test runs today. Bloodhound SSC, created by the same team behind current record holder ThrustSSC, completed two laps of Newquay airport, making its way up to 200mph on the runway.

The impressive figure is barely idling for the Bloodhound, though, as its creators hope to achieve 1,000mph when the car makes its record attempts in 2019. Rather than chasing ultimate speed, the test run – which kicked off a three-day event at the airport – is a way for the Bloodhound team to connect with the public and offers crucial exposure to sponsors.

It’s also a great opportunity for the team to showcase the pinnacle of British engineering to a global audience – though its practical purpose is to test the car’s steering, brakes, suspension and electronics.

In future, the Bloodhound will be powered by a combination of a hybrid rocket and separate jet engine – but for today’s run, only the jet engine was used. The EJ200 unit is sourced from a Eurofighter Typhoon, and today proved it’s capable of powering the five-tonne Bloodhound from 0-200mph in just nine seconds, covering 1,300 metres in the process.

“The trouble is staying below 200mph,” said Wing Commander Andy Green, driver-cum-pilot of Bloodhound, before the attempt. “But if I do exactly what the team tell me to do, we’ll get the numbers we want.”

The jet engine can effortlessly get the Bloodhound to 200mph, but it’s around 130mph where the action in the cockpit kicks off. Green has to throttle back the jet, which will have enough fuel in the system to keep Bloodhound going up to 200mph. He then has to begin leaning on the brakes. The carbon ceramic discs require heating at exactly the right rate so that they begin to bite at 200mph.

Both runs went off without a hitch, and the Bloodhound completed its showcase in front of a packed crowd. Sadly for British spectators, this is the fastest Bloodhound will go in this country – there simply isn’t the right area to attempt a faster run.

Chief engineer, Mark Chapman, told the Press Association that Newquay’s overcast weather was actually ideal for the Bloodhound’s public outing. “When we did a test run, it was a sunny day and it’s really hard to see those shock diamonds. But here with a bit of cloud cover it’s really like we’ve bought the sun to Newquay.”

And the most exciting part of the day? “It was actually seeing the public reaction. I think there are a lot of smiling faces here.”

The eventual record attempt will take place on a lakebed in South Africa sometime in 2019, where the car will aim to break ThrustSSC’s 763mph record, which has stood for 20 years.

By Tom Wiltshire