Bluebird's test run was completed succesfully using, as planned, only two battery sets.Fri 18th Aug | Sat 19th Aug | Sun 20th Aug | Latest | Pendine
(Please note, the latest events are first, to read about the day's progress please scroll down the page.)
The third and fourth runs were both promising and if we manage to continue tomorrow where we left off today, we are optomistic that records will be broken this weekend. One thing we can not control is the tide. It has already beaten us today forcing the team to beat a hasty retreat. Only now will Don have time to enjoy the magnificent views of both Worms Head and Caldy Island.
The second run, from east to west was conducted on full battery power and the team is pleased with the car's performance.
An interested crowd of onlookers gathered at Pendine to witness the first of this weekend's trials. Large crowds are expected to attend Pendine tomorrow and Sunday.
The weather conditions remain settled.
Bluebird's test run was completed succesfully using, as planned, only two battery sets.
The run was west to east, there was a light off shore cross wind, that is left to right from Don's perspective across the vehicle.
The picture shows Bluebird at the start of it's first run.
Blubird's first run is from west to east. A distance of 4 miles in total is availble for the run.
The timed runs today are over one kilometer and a half kilometer. The half kilometer is measured on the eastern half.
The wind is north westerly, force three. And the sun is begining to shine.
The car leaves the workshop to be at the beach at 4.15pm. The first run is expected to take place at 4.30pm
Low cloud cover but it is not raining
Bluebird is in the workshop at the present time being given final checks. With the chassis and batteries completely exposed, the state of the art electric motors, one for each rear wheel, are clearly visible.
Embracing aircraft technology they are described as being a "combination permanent magnet motor and epicyclic gear box" and contain very few moving parts. The drive units and the motors, constructed of cobolt-iron laminations and the drive unit, are each contained in a casing which is only 30 cms in diameter and approximately 40cms long. A very high power to weight ratio is attained from each unit, 75Kw from a weight of 26 Kg.
These motors have been specially developed for the Bluebird Electric Project over some five years by a team from Sheffield University, together they look upon this as research for eventual commercial exploitation. They are already proving that speed is possible from electric powered vehicles.
The weather is now dry wet.
Over sixty people attended the one o'clock briefing where safety procedures were re-stated. Twenty communications radios were distributed to the support crew, course marshalls, ambulance and fire crews.
Don Wales announced that the first run would take place at 4pm BST and that it would be timed. The first record attempt will take place at 5pm with further timed runs taking place at approximately 50 minute intervals.
There is a very light drizzle of rain and a gentle breeze so it is all down to the beach inspection. We are optimistic that the beach will be dry enough for an attempt.
You may be interested to know that the original record breaking electric vehicle, Bluebird EV1, is on display at 'Airborne with Wings & Wheels', Eastbourne, between 17th and 20th August.
If you are within travelling distance of Pendine the first trials will take place between 3pm and 6pm British Summer Time today. Because the weather forecast for tomorrow is not promising it is likely that a record attempt will be made today.
Tomorrow, attempts will be made between 4pm and 6pm BST. A good vantage point is near the Pendine Museum of Speed. Information on how to come to Pendine and where to stay.
With only three hours between tides the team of over thirty, augmented by volunteers and pressed men, has assembled at Pendine and is waiting for control of the beach to be handed over by the MOD at 12 noon. After the retreat of the tide a lot of work, at high speed, has to be undertaken. The first job involves clearing the beach of foreign objects, the team calls this FOD (Foreign Object Detection). This is followed by selecting and marking the course, all four miles of it, and setting up the time keeper's equipment. The selection of the course is determined by the condition of the sand left by the outgoing tide whilst the time keeping equipment has to set up with a great deal of precision. So far the weather forecast is for showers but there is little to no wind and it is dry at the moment. Things are looking promising. Of course things could change.
Meanwhile, in the workshop, scrutineers are examining Bluebird with a fine-tooth comb, to ensure the vehicle complies with the many regulations governing a record breaking attempt. No doubt, Don and his crew, are feeling rather tense.
Barrie White
Press-Ganged Assistant Web Master.
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