Name of the Project
Bloodhound supersonic car (SSC) project.

Location
UK and South Africa.

Client
Founder sponsors include Swansea University, the Engineering and Sciences Research Council, the Serco group, the University of the West of England and STP.

Project Description
The project involves the construction of, possibly, the world’s fastest car.

The SSC is an amalgamation of car and aircraft technology, with the front half being a carbon-fibre monocoque, similar to that of a racing car, and the back half being a metallic frame, with panels like those of an aircraft. It will weigh more than seven tonnes and is expected to reach a speed of more than 1 600 km/h.

The Bloodhound will have a slender, 14-m-long body, with two front wheels mounted within the body and two rear wheels mounted externally within the wheel fairings.

Jobs to Be Created
Not stated.

Value
R515-million.

Duration
The Bloodhound is expected to make its 1 609 km/h run in 2018.

Latest Developments
The Bloodhound team’s attempt to set a new world land-speed record has been postponed to 2018.

A revised racing schedule should result in the Bloodhound team conducting tests at 400 km/h at the Newquay Aerohub runway, in the UK, this year.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Castrol (lubricants, brake and hydraulic fluids), Poynting (antennas).

On Budget and on Time?
The land-speed record attempt has been postponed to 2018. Initially planned for 2015, the UK-driven record attempt has faced a number of deferments, owing largely to budgetary constraints.

Contact Details for Project Information
Mettle PR, on behalf of Bloodhound, Jules Tipler, tel +44 7811 166 796 or email jules.tipler@mettlepr.com.