Name of the Project
Bloodhound supersonic car (SSC) project.
Location
UK and South Africa's Northern Cape province.
Client
Bloodhound Programme.
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 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.
Potential Job Creation
Not stated.
Value
R515-million.
Duration
The Bloodhound team announced in May 2018 that it expected to race in South Africa 2019, slowly ramping up to tackle the 1 600 km/h record in October or November.
Latest Developments
The Bloodhound project, to set a new world land-speed record, is back on track.
The Bloodhound Programme, the UK company behind the Bloodhound project, announced last year that it had been facing financial difficulties and that it had been put under administration.
Following this announcement, the administrators were contacted by a number of parties interested in the company and its assets.
One of these was Yorkshire-based [UK] entrepreneur Ian Warhurst, who has acquired the Bloodhound Programme and its assets for an undisclosed amount, allowing the Bloodhound project to continue.
To date the project has operated on a partnership and sponsorship model, with support from a variety of partners, including Rolls-Royce and Rolex, the UK Ministry of Defence and South Africa’s Northern Cape provincial government, with the latter supporting the creation of the track.
Individual donations from the public have also supported the development of the car and the global education programme.
The Bloodhound project has already built a viable racing car which has been tested to 321 km/h.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
Castrol (lubricants, brake and hydraulic fluids), Poynting (antennas).
On Budget and on Time?
Project Bloodhound is again active under new ownership, after having been briefly halted, owing to a lack of funds.
Contact Details for Project Information
Mettle PR, on behalf of Bloodhound, Jules Tipler, tel +44 7811 166 796 or email jules.tipler@mettlepr.com.