The UK's fastest electric vehicle, Bluebird Electric, driven by Sir Malcolm Campbell's grandson, Donald Wales, will be out again on Pendine Sands in West Wales on Saturday August 19th, aiming to carry on where it left off earlier this year.
"Despite improving the UK electric land speed record in June, I was desperately disappointed not to achieve my personal goal of emulating my grandfathers first world record here at Pendine", said Donald Wales, following a recent test run at the famous old site of his grandfathers first three world records in the earliest of the world famous Bluebird cars. "I won't be satisfied with anything less this time".
"The American competition are streets ahead of us in the electric land speed record stakes and Bluebird and the Campbell's are not used to being runners up" Mr. Wales continued, " We need to pick ourselves up rapidly if we are to compete in America next year and see Bluebird the best in the world again".
The Bluebird Project aims to match Sir Malcolm's first record speed of 145mph at Pendine with its runs this weekend in the rapidly improving new Bluebird Electric.
Further attempts planned for the next few months will hopefully see Don past Sir Malcolm's highest speed on Pendine of 174mph, achieved in 1927.
"If we can do that, then we know we have got what it takes to tackle the international (or world) EV record of 245," said Martin Rees. "There simply isn't enough room on Pendine for that, but a mark of 174mph would give us the confidence to go to America and have a go at beating the American holders."
Campbell and Bluebird are the two most famous names in history of the Land Speed Record. Sir Malcolm broke 9 world land speed records and three water speed records. Don's uncle, Donald Campbell was also a prolific record-breaker, and is the only man ever to have held both land and water speed records simultaneously (1964). Donald Campbell broke the land speed record once in what is arguably the most well known speed record breaking car of all time, Bluebird CN7. Donald was tragically killed at Coniston Lake in 1967 whilst attempting to break the world water speed record for the 9th time. For a time, the book was closed on the Campbells stranglehold on speed record breaking.
Don Wales renewed the link when he broke the UK National Record for electric vehicles at Elvington in Yorkshire in May 1998. He increased that record to 128mph at Penine in June this year. The international (or world) record is held by the American White Lightening team at 245mph set last year at Bonneville, Utah.
But there is more to Don's dream than merely speed. His Bluebird is not electrically powered by coincidence.
"I have long thought that something has to be done about pollution that conventional automobiles bring to our cities," he says. "I live and work in London (he is a photographer by profession) and my children suffer from asthma. Electric vehicles offer a solution, especially in an urban environment and we hope that our success will act as a showcase for Eve's."
It's an ethos shared by the whole team, and underpins an operation that seeks to go beyond the glamour of record-breaking.
"We are keen to develop technical partnerships with companies working at the forefront of this technology," said Project Director Martin Rees, "Just as Sir Malcolm did in his day, we see Bluebird as an ideal vehicle for R&D on anything from drive train to metals, plastics and power units - anything that can help us develop a new generation of vehicles that will take account of tomorrow's environmental and technological demands. Our new base within the Defence, Evaluation and Research Establishment at Pendine has enhanced our ability to attract and fulfill a range of exciting and pioneering technologies in electric drives".
Such partnerships are already bearing fruit. At Pendine this weekend, Bluebird will announce its latest partnership with electronics giant LG Electronics, which will, hopefully, transform the projects ability to challenge for world honours.
"This new partnership is vital for us to take the Bluebird Project onto a new level" said Martin Rees the Bluebird Project Director, "and, vitally, enable Don to finally see his dream realised in adding to the wonderful Bluebird success story."
LG Electronics, the official sponsor of Bluebird Electric II, is one of the world's largest electronics manufacturers with sales of $10 billion dollars worldwide in 1999. The company is a subsidiary of the LG Group, has a $73 billion turnover and is one of the top 50 largest conglomerates in the world. Founded in 1958 the company today employs some 50,000 people around the globe, marketing its products to consumers in more than 180 countries.
"We're delighted to be sponsoring the Bluebird project. LG invests £3.5 million in R&D, a factor which has helped position us at the forefront of technology and resulted in the development of revolutionary products such as the Direct Drive washing machine," says Barry Willmore, managing director, LG Electronics UK Ltd. "This product and Bluebird Electric II share similar motor technology, making this the perfect partnership. We wish Bluebird Electric II, Donald, Martin and the rest of the team, the best of luck."
ENDS
Chassis: Steel tubular space frame
Body: GRP/aluminium
Length: 21’00"
Width: 4’1" (max)
Weight: 860Kg
Aero-drag: 0.15 Cd
Motors: 2 rear-wheel direct drive three-phase brushless DC 8-pole 12 slots
Speed: 20,000+ rpm (reduced via 10:1 epicyclic gearbox in each wheel)
Torque: 70Nm (52 ft. per lb.
Power: 135bhp/100Kw
Press Release Ends.
Volunteers are needed to assist in all areas of preparation for these events. If you have any specialities and are willing to assist, please note them in your submission.
Please note: Due to safety reasons no children under the age of 16 will be allowed to attend any restricted areas at landspeed record attempts.