This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/hampshire/8206560.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
UK team attempts steam car record UK team attempts steam car record
(about 2 hours later)
A team of British engineers is to begin four days of attempts to break the longest-standing land speed record.A team of British engineers is to begin four days of attempts to break the longest-standing land speed record.
They hope their steam car, Inspiration, will achieve speeds of 170mph (274km/h) at Edwards air base, in California's Mojave Desert.They hope their steam car, Inspiration, will achieve speeds of 170mph (274km/h) at Edwards air base, in California's Mojave Desert.
The Hampshire-based team says it unofficially beat the steam car record of more than 127mph (204km/h), set in 1906, during test runs on Saturday.The Hampshire-based team says it unofficially beat the steam car record of more than 127mph (204km/h), set in 1906, during test runs on Saturday.
For FIA records, two mile-long runs in opposite directions are averaged out.For FIA records, two mile-long runs in opposite directions are averaged out.
The 25ft-long (7.6m) three-tonne car, nicknamed the "fastest kettle in the world" and the "lean, green, mean machine", has been 10 years in the making in Lymington.The 25ft-long (7.6m) three-tonne car, nicknamed the "fastest kettle in the world" and the "lean, green, mean machine", has been 10 years in the making in Lymington.
It is being driven by its main financial backer Charles Burnett III.It is being driven by its main financial backer Charles Burnett III.
But project manager Matt Candy admits there have been problems during the test runs.But project manager Matt Candy admits there have been problems during the test runs.
"We've had overheating electrical components, so we've started using an awful lot of dry ice every day to cool those," he said."We've had overheating electrical components, so we've started using an awful lot of dry ice every day to cool those," he said.
Fred Marriot set the record in a steam car dubbed "the Rocket" in 1906
"We've also had a lot of gas pressure problems, due to the temperature causing the liquid propane to vaporise further up the car than it normally does."We've also had a lot of gas pressure problems, due to the temperature causing the liquid propane to vaporise further up the car than it normally does.
"We've had vapour locks. We've had pumps that couldn't cope with the extra pressure.""We've had vapour locks. We've had pumps that couldn't cope with the extra pressure."
But the car still achieved a 137mph (221km/h) average over two runs, which have to be less than an hour apart, according to the British Steam Car Challenge website.But the car still achieved a 137mph (221km/h) average over two runs, which have to be less than an hour apart, according to the British Steam Car Challenge website.
Century-old recordCentury-old record
The British team includes test driver Don Wales, nephew of the late Donald Campbell and grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell. Between them, those two ancestors achieved more than 20 land and water speed records.The British team includes test driver Don Wales, nephew of the late Donald Campbell and grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell. Between them, those two ancestors achieved more than 20 land and water speed records.
Mr Wales told the BBC that the main engineering obstacle was to develop a compact boiler system which every minute could turn 40 litres (8.8 gallons) of water into superheated steam at 400C (752F), at 40 times atmospheric pressure.Mr Wales told the BBC that the main engineering obstacle was to develop a compact boiler system which every minute could turn 40 litres (8.8 gallons) of water into superheated steam at 400C (752F), at 40 times atmospheric pressure.
The team was forced to abandon a test run in March on Thorney Island, near Emsworth, when technical problems set in.The team was forced to abandon a test run in March on Thorney Island, near Emsworth, when technical problems set in.
The longest-standing land speed record is recognised by the Federation International Automobile (FIA).The longest-standing land speed record is recognised by the Federation International Automobile (FIA).
American Fred Marriot set the record in a steam car dubbed "the Rocket" on Ormond Beach, Florida, now known as Daytona Beach.American Fred Marriot set the record in a steam car dubbed "the Rocket" on Ormond Beach, Florida, now known as Daytona Beach.