Supersonic car Bloodhound wows Shropshire students
A supersonic car set to break the world land speed record has been wowing students as part of an educational project.
Bloodhound which will, it is hoped, smash through the 1,000mph barrier later this year, is currently centre stage at Telford College of Arts and Technology, with former land speed record holder Richard Noble set to make an appearance today.
Mr Noble, who held the world land speed record from 1983 to 1997, was at the college today to host one of the many workshops lined up for students both from TCAT and local schools.
TCAT principal Ian Clinton said: "We will be holding morning workshops for up to 400 students from TCAT's feeder schools, giving them the chance to hear about the car, and learn from the Bloodhound team.
"Our TCAT engineering and technology students will also be working with the engineers each afternoon on the Bloodhound Model Rocket Car Challenge, where they will build and race rocket-powered cars.
"We are delighted to be able to give our students the chance to experience this cutting-edge technology, and to learn from the best in the business.
"The Bloodhound ambassadors are playing a key role in helping young people to make positive career choices by giving real-life context to their science, technology, engineering and mathematics studies."
The college will also hold an open evening on Thursday from 5pm to 7pm, where parents can see the vehicle and meet members of the team.
The Bloodhound team hope that in October, the vehicle will break the current record, which stands at 763mph.
The car is the product of eight years of research, design and manufacturing, involving over 350 companies and universities. At full speed, the supersonic car will cover a mile in 3.6 seconds – that's the equivalent of 4.5 football pitches laid end-to-end, every second.
The car is fitted with a Rolls-Royce jet engine, and more than 50 trained ambassadors from the company are touring the UK to deliver themed lessons.
The car has been created by a team of Formula 1 and aerospace experts, helped by the Army's Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
