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(Please note, the latest events are first, to read about the day's progress please scroll down the page.)
Bad news. Today's trials have been called off because of damage to Bluebird's suspension caused by the variable sand conditions yesterday. Unfortunately this condition was exacerbated by the very soft sand (which the team fondly calls 'the porridge') near the west end of the measured kilo, causing the suspension to hit and damage the chassis.
The picture shows the dent to the chassis and you can also see the yellow paint residue on the suspension. The picture is the same on the other side of the car. Though serious, the damage is repairable so Bluebird will be running in September.
The good news. The Sheffield Engineers Dr. Phil Mellor and Dr. Tim Allen have computer analyzed the information provided by Bluebird's on-board sensors and the data proves that Bluebird was running well with power in reserve and that it was only held back by the surface conditions. Note that in the graph, at the 45 seconds point in Bluebird's run, the speed curve dips as Bluebird hits the porridge, and then increases again at the same acceleration as before on exit about 8 seconds later. Acceleration then remains fairly constant as Bluebird travels through the measured Kilo. The dip at 110 seconds shows where Don has exited the Kilo and starts to decelerate. This data provided by Sheffield confirms the expected performanceof the Bluebird drivetrain that they have developed.
Had we had the firmer sand conditions of June this weekend we would have had our goal of 146mph within our reach. It is now down to the mechanics to replace the rear suspension and to rebuild the rear section of chassis. We believe that we have enough time before now and our next scheduled attempt in September to carry out the work that is needed.
We shall come back in September, running!
At 12:30pm local time the weather forecasters are being proved wrong again with the sun shining on Pendine though we are hoping that the very large cumulus clouds to the west will hold off.
Yesterday visitors to Pendine were given the opportunity to go for rides in Hawker's Citycar which is now part of the Bluebird Electric Vehicle Roadshow, a rather cute looking two-seater electric car. Hawker batteries, which are made in Newport, Wales, are used to power Bluebird.
Bluebird's glass reinforced plastic body, which is designed and built here by our team led by Paul Sparrow, is adorned by a narrow black fin protruding vertically from the front of the vehicle. This low technology device is used to trigger the all-important course timing mechanism. Even though the car body could be used to trigger the timer it was felt that using the body alone could lead to inaccuracies. There is the possibility of momentary vertical displacement of the body due to undulations in the sand.
One would expect an electric powered vehicle to be quiet. Well Bluebird is quieter than a combustion engine powered vehicle but the noise it makes when passing at speed could be likened to a turbine engine. Perhaps a lot of the 'noise' is produced by the tyres making contact with the sand. You may wonder why we are attempting timed trials on a sandy beach when Bluebird's speed is affected by the condition of the sand? The speed trials are undertaken here because Pendine Sands is the longest and flattest straight area in UK suitable for this kind of activity.
The two independent timekeepers representing the RAC/MSA are located halfway along the measured course. Being isolated from the rest of the team theirs is a lonely job though they are in radio contact with the Beach Master.
Communications is a vital part of any speed trials because of the large distance involved. Martin Rees, our Director, is positioned in the elevated look out tower overlooking the eastern end of the measured kilometre. With high-powered binoculars he can see the entire course. He is in constant communication with the Beach Master, PJ (Don Wales' brother) but during the trials it is PJ who holds the power. No one, or thing, can move on the course without asking PJ's permission. Even the seagulls keep clear! PJ is positioned at whichever end of the course the car is being prepared to start its run to the timer marker.
PJ will say when the Bluebird can or cannot run. Safety is paramount. Even though PJ is in charge, at any time during a run any team member situated along the course can call for the run to be aborted should the safety of any individual or Bluebird be compromised. We are pleased to report that no run during this weekend has had to be aborted for safety reasons.
The sleepy village of Pendine is slowly waking up to clear blue skies again. Even though we set a new record yesterday, it is short of the target we set ourselves for this weekend.
The team discussed problems until the early hours last night and had their minds set to be back at the beach for one last attempt today. The expected time of the first run is soon after 2:00pm local time, and the intention is to wrap up the proceedings at 4:00 local, regardless of the outcome. Most of the team have 5-8 hours travel back to their homes and families, we all have to be back at work tomorrow morning. The team's mood was still optimistic last night, though the disappointment of not achieving our goal yesterday was obvious.
The chief mechanic Mike Varndell gave the car a clean bill of health late last night for it to run again today, after fears that the suspension may have suffered damage again due to the soft nature of the sand. This happened during the early stages of the June trial and it was not something we wished to see repeated again. Mike is expected back in the workshop soon.
Emyr Wyn Morris
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