British boffins plan to smash the land-speed record

British engineers have unveiled plans for the world’s first 1,000mph car - that is actually faster than a speeding bullet. Bloodhound SSC, aptly named after British supersonic air-defence missiles, will attempt to obliterate the existing record - 763pmh, set by Richard Noble’s Thrust in 1997 - by more than 250mph.

The ambitious project was officially announced this morning by Lord Drayson, the science minister and self-confessed “car nut” - indeed, Drayson was the man who proposed the project. The Bloodhound team, led by Noble and based in Bristol, plans to have the car built within a year, with a record attempt expected within three years.

Bloodhound will be powered by a rocket melded to a Typhoon Eurofighter EJ200 jet engine. Together they will produce an awe-inspiring 20,000kg of thrust that can propel the car from 0-1,050mph in 40 seconds. Braking will be handled by huge airbrakes and a couple of parachutes.

The car will be piloted by Andy Green, the RAF wing commander who drove Thrust into the record books some 11 years ago. He has huge cojones, it goes without saying.

If you’re interested in learning more about the project, London’s Science Museum is currently holding a week-long exhibition dedicated to Bloodhound.

Watch an animated promo video about the Bloodhound: