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Speed Record Clubspeed on wheels, water and wingsWork in Progress - February 2008Contents: Latest news regarding Steve Fossett LSR project.Project manager for the Reno-based team, Eric Ahlstrom, was secretive with the Reno Gazette-Journal on Oct. 15, having stated speed trials would not be conducted in the Black Rock Desert, but refusing to name a location for testing or a possible record attempt. The question of where the speed trials will happen was answered Dec. 6, when Ahlstrom spoke at the Eureka County Commissioner’s meeting in Eureka and discussed plans to use the alkali flats in Diamond Valley this summer for the record-breaking run, apparently unaware press was listening. Source Ely Times. Full story in Fast Facts issue 68 Feb 2008 Earthrace, the coolest powerboat on the planetIn March 2008, Earthrace will attempt to set a new speed record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe running 100% biodiesel, and with a net zero carbonfootprint, in order to increase awareness of the environment and the sustainable use of resources. She is rapidly becoming the highestprofile powerboat in the world, as well as one of the greenest. It is a showcase of environmentally friendly technologies such as low-emissions engines, nontoxic anti-foul and efficient hull design. It is also one of the coolest looking boats ever imagined. A unique attribute of the Earthrace boat is that she has the ability to submarine through waves, and can in fact go up to 7m underwater as she does so. This enables the boat to maintain a higher average speed through big seas as compared to a conventional craft. Sponsors are currently being sought for the record attempt, with some places offered on the boat during each leg of the circumnavigation. Information at www.earthrace.com Macquarie Innovation.An Australian sailing team were competing with the Hydroptere to reach the magic 50knot barrier. Their craft was similar in design to the current record holder, but incorporating their own creative ideas. However, they suffered a catastrophic crash during an attempt on the record at Sandy Point in November. The crew escaped serious injury due to their safety pod. Full story in Fast Facts issue 68 Feb 2008 and www.macquarie.com Vesco streamliner restored.Kent Riches of Airtech thought it would be cool to do a build diary on the Vesco liner he is restoring for the J&P Nation Motorcyle Musuem. This liner was one of Rick’s liners that was built in the late 60’s and features twin XS650 Yamaha motors. The diary is featured on www.landracing. com on the build forum. Hot Rod wrote in its Bonneville report: “His brother Rick had one with two Yamaha 650 engines, but he spent the week trying to get both engines running at the same time; and when he did finally get a decent run, he too wound up sliding along on his side. He had no idea why, and was determined to find out before making another run. He never made another run.” Windjet latest.Richard Jenkins is flying to Nevada in January in time to modify the Mk II land yacht for an attempt on the ice record in February. The ice record is open to conjecture, as the only recorded speed is 84mph, and lots of others have been “claimed”, but not proven. He then intends to return to Australia in time to run his new land yacht on the salt in August. The land yacht record is 116.7mph, set in 1999. Richard has raised the British record to 113.4mph, and has reached 120mph on Asphalt, but this does not constitute a record as the surface is not recognised by Nalsa, as it is not a natural surface. Source www.windjet.co.uk Marlo Treit’s liner nears completion.The chassis is finished and the body is in its final stages at this time. Both the support and the transport trailers are in the shop being outfitted and both trucks are being prepared for their duty. Ron Main award.Ron Main’s Speed Demon picked up the award for excellence in automotive design at the Speciality Equipment Market Association (SEMA) 2007 show. Both Ron and George Poteet are aiming to break 400mph in 2008, after sorting out the mechanical gremlins they experienced in 2007 which kept their top speed down to (only!!!) 353.414mph. Atlantic speed record for the Aga Khan?A new £100m boat is been secretly built in Devon to break the Atlantic crossing record for the Aga Khan. Named Alamshar, like one of his racing horses, the boat code-named Project 305 at the DML boatyard in Plymouth, is built specially to challenge the time established in 1992 by Destriero in two days, 10 hours and 34 minutes at the average speed of 53.09 knots, also owned by the Aga Khan. Early tests with Rolls-Royce turbine engines failed when the turbine blades burnt out. The Sea King helicopter turbines will be replaced by Pratt and Whitney ones. Not being being certified as a passengercarrying vessel, Alamshar will not be able to claim the Hayes Trophy currently held by Cat-Link V, a Channel ferry catamaran with a time of 2 days, 20 hours and 9 minutes established in 1998. Round the World Solar FlightBertand Piccard and Andre Borschberg have revealed their intention to attempt a Round the World flight onboard a solar powered aircraft as early as 2011. They recently launched their programme that includes a 197 ft wingspan prototype they expect to fly over shorter distances as early as 2009. At 260 ft, the definite Solar Impulse will have a wingspan comparable to the new Airbus A 380. The craft will be powered by four DC electric motors drive propellers of 11.5 ft in diameter, rotating at between 200 and 500 rpm. The motors will draw 8 kilowatts at crising speed with the plane reaching 40 mph, at which speed the flight will take 4 weeks. Each pilot is intended to fly for 5 days, then land and swap over. 2,7000 sq ft of ultra thin solar cells will be covering the wings of the aircraft, charging lithium-ion batteries during the day to power the craft at night. Full story in Fast Facts issue 68 Feb 2008 |
