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Supersonic car to solve skills shortage

10:22am Friday 24th October 2008

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IT IS a supersonic record-breaking bid that it is hoped will inspire a fresh generation of scientists.

As part of the team behind Britain’s latest attempt to break the world land speed record, engineers from Southampton University will use the world’s first 1,000mph car to encourage fresh engineering talent.

Yesterday, those behind the project called Bloodhound SSC unveiled plans for the British supersonic car, which if successful will smash the existing top speed of 763mph set.

The car is being designed by Richard Noble and will be driven by Andy Green, who together hold the current record set in 1997. They hope the Bloodhound SSC project will inspire a new generation of scientists to keep Britain at the cutting edge of technology.

World-leading experts in the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Southampton have been working with the team to develop the educational programme for schools across Britain.

Dr Kenji Takeda, senior lecturer in aeronautics at Southampton, said: “We desperately need more smart young people to become scientists and engineers to tackle the big issues of the 21st century.

“Moving towards a low carbon economy is a massive challenge, and a big part of the solution is new technology. The youngsters of today are the ones who can step up to the plate and help create this new world.

“We’re trying to take science into the classroom in a way that is exhilarating and inspiring.

This iconic project is pushing the boundaries of engineering, and we’re inviting everyone to get involved.”

The team hopes to build the car by the end of next year and to reach 1,000mph by 2011.

“We’re setting off on the most incredible engineering adventure which we hope will inspire the future generations to take up careers in science, engineering and technology,” said Mr Noble.

Hampshire schools who want to get involved should go to bloodhoundssc.com for more information.


Your Say YourEcho

Boris Remmington, Wellow says...
11:43am Fri 24 Oct 08

Toys for the boys and no use whatsoever to help the average motorist of the future to save money and go green.
Mr Noble gets free labour and brains while keeping the sponsorship cash.

Miles Sway, Scotland says...
2:41pm Fri 24 Oct 08

Boris Remmington wrote:
Toys for the boys and no use whatsoever to help the average motorist of the future to save money and go green. Mr Noble gets free labour and brains while keeping the sponsorship cash.
I have to agree, it seems utterly pointless - put the effort into something that could be usefull, not another attempt at a speed record - yawn!

StEmmosfire, Woolston says...
7:40pm Fri 24 Oct 08

I remember when Thrust set the world speed record. I became really interested in engineering whilst following the attempt. Maybe it will inspire engineers of the future

Gilmore, Shirley, Southampton says...
11:20pm Fri 24 Oct 08

Boris Remmington wrote:
Toys for the boys and no use whatsoever to help the average motorist of the future to save money and go green.
Mr Noble gets free labour and brains while keeping the sponsorship cash.
Where does it say that this project would help the average motorist save money? That's like moaning that the Large Hadron Collider at CERN won't reduce your heating bills. Please learn to construct an argument before posting.

PAUL Β, Mottisfont says...
11:24pm Fri 24 Oct 08

total crap

Jondolar, Washington, U.S.A. says...
6:40am Mon 27 Oct 08

You feel that this project will not benefit you, or anyone else? Okay folks, let's think back for a moment. In the early '60s the President of the U.S. announced that a man would be sent to and safely back from, the moon. Many at that time thought it was a waste of money and effort. Yet, over the following decades, technological developments spun off of that space race which all of us take for granted; computers, cell phones, you name it; most of it was because someone had a vision. So, please grip less and be grateful someone is leading us in a positive direction.

Jondolar, Washington, U.S.A. says...
6:44am Mon 27 Oct 08

Yea, I know I left off the "e" on the end of gripe, but then when you're typing an idea, how often do you only miss one letter out of a paragraph?

Your sayYourEcho

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The Bloodhound SSC will attempt to smash the world land speed record. The Bloodhound SSC will attempt to smash the world land speed record.

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