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British team hope to secure steam car record

Thursday, 01 May 2008 10:34
The British team hopes to make history in the United States
A British team is on course to make history and break the world steam car speed record. The attempt, taking place on the Bonneville salt flats in America, will be made in August 2008, following the unveiling of the team's steam car at the 60th Bonneville Speed Week.

Most of the work developing and building the car has been undertaken in a modest wooden workshop in Lymington.

Project manager Frank Swanson, who passed away in 2007, was responsible for most of the engineering groundwork. Since them, the team has regrouped and morale was boosted by the recruitment of Don Wales as test driver.

Mr Wales is the nephew of the late Donald Campbell and grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell - both holders of more than 20 land and water speed records themselves. Mr Wales himself set an electric vehicle land speed record in Bluebird Electric in 2000.

Before attempting the world record, the team expects to break the British steam car record at Elvington, near York, in early July.

Updates on the project are available from www.steamcar.co.uk.

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