Record attempt date set for Bloodhound, the supersonic car backed by Deeside based PPA Group

The team behind Bloodhound, the supersonic car backed by Deeside based engineering firm PPA Group has announced it will start preparations for a World Land Speed Record attempt.

Development of the vehicle has been on hold over recent months due to a shortage of cash but the recent signing of major deals means the project now has sufficient funding pledged to complete the car.

A record attempt has now been scheduled for October 2017 in Hakskeen Pan, Northern Cape, South Africa.

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.

Bloodhound will travel under its own power for the first time at Newquay in June 2017, in a slow speed shakedown test at around 220mph.

Once Shakedown tests are successfully completed the vehicle will be loaded onto a Boeing 747 freighter to be airlifted to Upington, South Africa.

It will then be transported by road to the team’s desert base at Hakskeen Pan for further testing.

Under the guidance of Operations Director Martyn Davidson, 16 container-loads of equipment will have been shipped in advance and a self-contained village complete with workshop and TV studios set up.

Project Director Richard Noble said:

“This is probably the biggest moment in the Project’s history. Before we could only see financially a few months ahead but now we can put our foot down and really go for it!

We’re in this position thanks to the incredible support of our partners and sponsors, and the dedication and sacrifice of many people, including a skeleton crew who have held the fort and quite literally kept the lights on.

Most of all it has been the amazing public response that has sustained us. Thousands of children up and down the country are racing Model Rocket Cars and there is tremendous public enthusiasm for the Project wherever we go.

We have come through this difficult stage wiser, leaner and fitter. BLOODHOUND is now in Race Preparation which means the pace and the pressure will ramp up but so too will the sense of satisfaction as we head towards our Car breaking the sound barrier for the first time, with the world watching!”