Bloodhound supersonic car backed by Deeside based PPA Group to get first public outing

Bloodhound supersonic car backed by Deeside based engineering firm PPA Group is set to make its world debut on November 17th this year with a 200mph ‘slow speed’ trial at Newquay Aerohub, Cornwall.

The British built car is aiming to become the first to break 1,000mph (1,600km/h) however, an issue with a rocket engine fuel pump has left the Bloodhound team with insufficient time to attempt the record on a specially prepared track in South Africa due to seasonal rains.

Deeside based PPA Group, who manufacturer composites and aviation components, have been responsible for designing and manufacturing the canopy and porthole side windows for the car which is powered by a Rolls-Royce EJ200 jet from a Eurofighter Typhoon, a cluster of Nammo hybrid rockets and a Jaguar V8 engine that drives the rocket oxidiser pump. The power units generate 135,000 thrust horsepower, equivalent to 180 Formula 1 cars.

The car’s assembly is under way in Bristol and will be fitted with airbrakes and winglets after its Newquay trial so it can start high-speed testing at Hakskeen Pan, in South Africa’s Northern Cape in summer 2016.

Bloodhound spokesman Richard Knight said:

“Hopefully we will be able to get the car up to 800mph once we get to South Africa.

“This is going to be a gradual process. We cannot rush to try to get up to 1,000mph. The saying is: ‘You don’t hurry to go fast’.”
A forward party will deploy in April / May next year to prepare the team’s desert base.

The results from the Summer 2016 tests will help with the project’s ultimate speed goal of setting a new World Land Speed Record of 1,000mph.