Wednesday, August 26, 2009


Fastest steam-powered car-world record set by Inspiration

 Edwards Air Force Base, CA, USA -- "Inspiration", The British Steam Car driven by Charles Burnett III , achieved an average speed of 139.84mph on two runs over a measured mile -setting the new world record for the Fastest steam-powered car .
 The 25-foot-long, three-tonne "kettle" was driven by its main financier Charles Burnett III from Lymington, Hampshire.
( enlarge photo )
  It reached a peak speed of 136.103mph (219.04km/h) on the first run and 151.085mph (243.15 km/h) on the second.

  The timing beat the previous world record of 127mph set by American Fred Marriott in a Stanley steam car at the Daytona Beach Road Course in 1906.

  Following the success, Mr Burnett said: "It was absolutely fantastic. I enjoyed every moment of it. We reached nearly 140mph on the first run before I applied the parachute. All systems worked perfectly, it was a really good run. The second run went even better and we clocked a speed in excess of 150mph. The car really did handle beautifully. "

   "The team has worked extremely hard over the last 10 years and overcome numerous problems. It is a privilege to be involved with such a talented crew. What we have achieved today is a true testament to British engineering, good teamwork and perseverance."    

   Project Manager Matt Candy said: "The first run took place at 7.27am when the air temperature was a cool 63 degrees Fahrenheit, the team turned around the car in 52minutes (with just 8 minutes spare) in preparation for its return run. The British Steam Car takes 2.5 miles to accelerate and after the measured mile, a further 2.5 miles to decelerate – so each run was over 6.5 miles. The FIA requires that the return run takes place within 60 minutes. The times of the two runs are then averaged to obtain the official recorded speed.

  The world's fastest steam-powered car will be brought back to England and will end up at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire.

   Inspiration - AKA “the fastest kettle in the world ” is made from a mixture of lightweight carbon-fibre composite and aluminium wrapped around a steel space frame chassis and fitted with 12 boilers containing nearly two miles of tubing.

   Design expertise has come from Students at the University of Southampton as well as from Welsh engineer Glynne Bowsher, who previously worked on Thrust SSC, the jet-powered car that broke sound barrier in October 1997, and, at 763mph, holds the world land speed record.

  In total each run was 6.5 miles because the car takes 2.5 miles to get up to speed and 2.5 miles to slow down again, aided by a parachute. It took place early in the morning to take advantage of cooler temperatures.

   The three ton car uses a two stage turbine running on liquid petroleum gas and gets through a ton of water every 25 minutes.

The team website is here .