In August 2009, Charles Burnett III smashed the 100 year-old world land speed record for a steam-powered car by clocking an average of 139.8mph over the measured mile at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Test driver, Don Wales established a new world record for the Kilometer with a speed of 148.166mph.
They achieved their success in the British Steam Car, a vehicle weighing more than three tons and with 12 boilers, which took more than 10 years to build and develop. The British Steam Car is unique and incorporates many interesting technical features. For example, the burners produce three megawatts of heat, the boilers contain nearly two miles of tubing and steam is injected into the turbine at more than the speed of sound.
The British Steam Car returns to the UK at the end of October and a tour of the country is being organised so that engineers, students and members of the public can get a close look at it.
The first stop will be Saxon Square in Christchurch, Dorset on Saturday 14 November between 11am and 2pm. The Mayor of Christchurch, Councillor David Flagg, will host a civic reception for the British Steam Car team to celebrate its success.
Councillor Flagg says: "We're honoured to be the first town to be visited by the steam car and the team involved in setting the world records. I'm sure there will be a lot of interest in seeing this exciting vehicle up close and hearing from the team about their experiences."
On Wednesday 18th November the British Steam Car will appear on BBC Blue Peter and that evening, at 7.00pm on BBC2, there will be a 30minute documentary about the British Steam Car team and its success in the USA. The BBC had exclusive access to the team during over the past twelve months both in the UK and at Edwards Air Force Base, California and has produced a fascinating behind the scenes film revealing the ups and downs of the record attempts.
The British Steam Car is also to be featured in the next edition of Ripley's Believe It or Not!, the book which celebrates amazing projects. See www.ripleybooks.com
Full details of the dates and venues for the British Steam Car UK Celebration Tour will be announced shortly on the team’s website: www.steamcar.co.uk. The website will also have information about a new merchandise range to include: t-shirts, mugs, mouse mats, downloadable photographs, scale models and a number of collectable British Steam Car products signed personally by driver Charles Burnett III.
From the outset of the project, one of the goals of the British Steam Car team was to inspire young people and students to consider alternative, environmentally friendly methods of propulsion and to 'think outside the box'. The team has received many requests to attend engineering universities as well as high profile science and motoring events to talk about the project and display the British Steam Car. In order to fulfill these requests, the British Steam Car team is seeking sponsorship to cover the expenses involved. It would therefore like to hear from business managers and individuals who wish to be associated with this highly successful project and benefit from the considerable exposure it continues to attract. After the tour has been completed the British Steam Car will take pride of position at The National Motor Museum Beaulieu as part of their land speed collection.
The National Motor Museum Beaulieu collects preserves and presents to its visitors vehicles and other items related to the history of motoring in Great Britain from 1895 to the present day. Among its exhibits are Land Speed Record holders: Malcolm Campbell's 1925 350HP Sunbeam, Henry Segrave's 1927 Sunbeam 1000 hp and 1929 Golden Arrow and Donald Campbell's Bluebird CN7. The collection is an amazing testament to the braverey, determination, and technological innovation of these British Speed Kings.
