Previous Attempts, 1998

Friday update on UK Land Speed Record Attempt

End of day de-brief, Martin Rees.

Bluebird Electric rolls out on to the tarmac to start speed test trials (NB. The top is removed to allow access to electronics during trials.

Mayday, but no serious distress signals have emerged from Hangar T2 at the Yorkshire Air Museum in Elvington where Don Wales and the Bluebird team have spent the day preparing for tomorrow's scheduled attempt on the UK National land speed record for electrically-powered vehicles.

Much of the day has been spent setting up the suspension and fine-tuning the custom-built Bluebird's pioneering electrical systems. Shortly after 5pm the car was rolled out of the hangar to begin low-speed test trials.

"It's vital that we build up speeds gradually," says Research Engineer Tim Allen. "So we do not expect Don to get over about 40mph tonight." One early priority is to bed in the brakes, which will also restrict speeds, as will the high winds which have been blowing across the airfield all day. However, the forecast for tomorrow's weather is encouraging, and so are the prospects for Don and Bluebird. Tomorrow promises to be the big day after five years' hard work.

On a lighter note

Interview with Ray Marshall of Motorola.

Donald Wales puts the Motorola emission free Dodge through its paces.

But, as a taster for tomorrow, Don did manage to set one record. "We are not quite sure what record it is," says project manager Martin Rees. "But Don took out an emission-free battery-powered Dodge pick-up and recorded a speed of 60.44mph over the measured kilometer. The time-keepers were on hand so we will have to wait for ratification by the RAC MSA. But the signs are that we have set a UK national record."

The Dodge has been developed by Motorola, who also sponsor the Bluebird project, as part of their R&D programme for electric vehicles. The man who usually sits behind the wheel, Ray Marshall, was happy to watch as Don put his baby through its paces. "I really have no idea what its top speed is," he said. "But it's marvellous that we have been able to do this."

1^st May, 1998

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