British Steamcar Challenge

[Martin S]

Having been involved with this, both directly and indirectly, for a few years now, I just wanted to post that after all the problems that have plagued the team, they finally managed to perform two successful runs at the Ministry of Defence's Thorney Island facility in Emsworth, Hampshire on Wednesday 01 April 2009, in preparation of the world record attempt later this year at Edwards Air force base in the US.
The plan is to beat Fred Marriot's century-old 128mph (206km/h) record set in 1906 on Florida's Daytona Beach.
Full info on the challenge, along with videos of the car, can be found at http://www.steamcar.co.uk.
Am really excited about the success of this - my late father was managing the project up to his untimely death in August 2007, and his name will be on the car, as a mark of respect and to his memory, when it does the record attempt.
Martin

[Birger]

I was just watching a science show about this car yesterday it was a tour through the facility and gave quite a lot of info ...interesting.

To hear you have a connection with it, that is really cool. Hope it works out for them.

Birger

[Martin S]

Thanks Birger.
I took over control of the website, though apart from slim down the content and add more relevant data, I haven't done much. I just wanted to be involved and this was a way I could be so I could help out in my own way.
I'd love to have the ime to rewrite the entire site, but it works and so, as they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Martin

[MatsP]

Very interesting.

Good luck for the actual record attempt.

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Mats

[Martin S]

Thanks.

[Chrysichthys]

I saw an article in the Times about this yesterday:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/u ... 018151.ece

DIdn't know you were involved with it when I read it, good luck!

[Martin S]

There has been lots of online articles lately, especially following the press day on the 23rd (when it only performed static tests due to problems with the boilers). There is a video of the first run, where the parachute was deployed, on the BBC website. It reached 73mph. The top video on the steamcar site videos page is of the car on it's second run, where it reached 81mph.

DIdn't know you were involved with it when I read it, good luck!

Thanks

Martin

[L number Banana]

Wow! What a rush! Keep us posted as things go along. Best of luck to you. That's very cool and well worth posting about.

Hmm, there's been posts about motorcycles and very fast cars here now - makes catfish people look pretty cool too, shows that we're not always nerds.

[andywoolloo]

very interesting, cool website, interesting looking vehicle. good luck to the team to break the record!

[Martin S]

Have been busy adding more video and pictures to the site, as well as adding myself to the list of team members (picture to follow).
One great bit of news (for me at least) - I'm going out to the US to be there for the actual attempt at Edwards Air Force Base It will probably be June, but date is dependant on when the lake bed is dry enough to start testing. The car is currently being packed up for shipping and will take 6-8 weeks to get there. I am REALLY excited (did I say I was excited ). It will probably be a short (5 day) trip but will just be great to be there. Just been checking out the weather in June - looks like I'll be needing lots of factor 50!
Martin

[Richard B]

Have been busy adding more video and pictures to the site, as well as adding myself to the list of team members (picture to follow).
One great bit of news (for me at least) - I'm going out to the US to be there for the actual attempt at Edwards Air Force Base It will probably be June, but date is dependant on when the lake bed is dry enough to start testing. The car is currently being packed up for shipping and will take 6-8 weeks to get there. I am REALLY excited (did I say I was excited ). It will probably be a short (5 day) trip but will just be great to be there. Just been checking out the weather in June - looks like I'll be needing lots of factor 50!
Martin

Nice one Martin

We got sunburned in NY last week so make sure you take plenty sunscreen (we found factor 60 in shops over there)

[OldMan]

On Edwards air base in June you will need some 99 factor just to be safe. There are never any clouds there so only the protection you bring with you will help you.

[Martin S]

Nice one Martin

We got sunburned in NY last week so make sure you take plenty sunscreen (we found factor 60 in shops over there)

Thanks - will do.

On Edwards air base in June you will need some 99 factor just to be safe. There are never any clouds there so only the protection you bring with you will help you.

I guess being in the desert with no shade, i'm not really surprised!
Thanks
Martin

[Martin S]

Woop! Woop! I have just had my flight details confirmed!
I fly out from heathrow on Monday 13th and back on Sunday 19th.
Anyway, the car arrived in the US on the 23rd June, and has had the OK to be allowed inside the air force base for the period 10-24 July. Can't believe it has come round so fast! Apparently the team (including me ) is staying in a hotel in Lancaster.
I will be updating the website with video/photos/text on a daily basis while I'm there.
Martin

[MatsP]

Woop! Woop! indeed. Good luck with the trip.

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Mats

[Martin S]

Thanks, and am sure will bore you all with the deails when I get back

[L number Banana]

Website was updated -http://www.steamcar.co.uk/

[Martin S]

Yes, by me!
Sadly, after all my hopes and plans, it has been delayed until next week - the same time I am on my family holiday in Italy, so won't be able to make it
I've also had to hand over the website updates to a friend as can't get internet access where we are staying, but they will let me know what happens on Tuesday.
Due to various issues with the car, and some unsuccessful runs, the FIA time keepers had not been book, and then as the car became ready, the FIA were all over at Bonneville for another speed related event, and would be away there until mid to late this week, so it was decided to delay the attempts until at least Tuesday 18th August.
The car has already reached 131mph (which breaks the official record), but as no one from the FIA was present, it does not count. The 131mph was reached with only two minutes of fuel, so ca only assume that with a full tank and the entire length of the runway, it will reach sppeds in excess of 170mph. Fingers crossed.
Martin

[Martin S]

We did it!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hamp ... 209288.stm
Not only did the car break the record for the measured mile, but also went back and did the measured kilometer. Both awaiting FIA confirmation, but finally, a successful end to the challenge.
There is more over at the website too.
Martin

[L number Banana]

All hail the speed demons!!

That's awesome Martin. Italy and world records, you must have a smile tattooed to your face!

[Martin S]

For anyone that's interested I have just had it confirmed that the BBC documentary on the British Steam Car project will be on BBC2 at 7.00pm on Wednesday 18th November.
For those of you not in the UK, it will be on iPlayer too.
There was a two part segment in the regional news program last week and the week before, but this is a proper documentary. Sad thing is had I made it out to the USA, I probably would have had been in it at some point!
Martin

[MatsP]

I saw a bit of it on BBC South the other week, and your mum (I think) was in it.

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Mats

[Martin S]

Hi Mats
If that was the second part (about the US side), then yes...well, actually 'stepmum' in that she was my dad's wife!
You will have seen the pics of my dad too then - was very surprised as wasn't expecting there to be so much about him, though a lovely thing to see. I think (assume) there will be more about his involvement in the documentary.
Martin