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UK team breaks steam car record | UK team breaks steam car record |
(9 minutes later) | |
A team of British engineers has broken the longest-standing world land speed record in California. | A team of British engineers has broken the longest-standing world land speed record in California. |
The steam car, Inspiration, recorded an average speed of 139.843mph (225.06km/h) at Edwards air base, in the Mojave Desert, smashing the 1906 record. | The steam car, Inspiration, recorded an average speed of 139.843mph (225.06km/h) at Edwards air base, in the Mojave Desert, smashing the 1906 record. |
For the Federation International Automobile record, the Hampshire-based team had to finish two runs in opposite directions, less than an hour apart. | For the Federation International Automobile record, the Hampshire-based team had to finish two runs in opposite directions, less than an hour apart. |
American Fred Marriot held the record set in 1906 of 127mph (204km/h). | American Fred Marriot held the record set in 1906 of 127mph (204km/h). |
The car really did handle beautifully Charles Burnett III, driver | The car really did handle beautifully Charles Burnett III, driver |
The 25-foot-long, three-tonne "kettle" was driven by its main financier Charles Burnett III from Lymington, Hampshire. | The 25-foot-long, three-tonne "kettle" was driven by its main financier Charles Burnett III from Lymington, Hampshire. |
It reaching a peak speed of 136.103mph (219.04km/h) on the first run and 151.085mph (243.15 km/h) on the second. | It reaching a peak speed of 136.103mph (219.04km/h) on the first run and 151.085mph (243.15 km/h) on the second. |
The record was smashed at 0819 local time (1519 BST). | The record was smashed at 0819 local time (1519 BST). |
Speaking from California, Mr Burnett said: "I wouldn't like to leave it this close again, it was the last but one day we had to do this. | Speaking from California, Mr Burnett said: "I wouldn't like to leave it this close again, it was the last but one day we had to do this. |
"It was absolutely fantastic I enjoyed every moment of it. The car really did handle beautifully. | "It was absolutely fantastic I enjoyed every moment of it. The car really did handle beautifully. |
"It is a privilege to be involved with such a talented crew, what we have achieved today is a true testament to British engineering, good teamwork and perseverance." | "It is a privilege to be involved with such a talented crew, what we have achieved today is a true testament to British engineering, good teamwork and perseverance." |
The British team smashed the world record set in 1906 | |
The team only had until Wednesday to attempt the record before they were due to return home. | The team only had until Wednesday to attempt the record before they were due to return home. |
Its first attempt was dashed when the car's turbine became stuck on Wednesday, 19 August. | Its first attempt was dashed when the car's turbine became stuck on Wednesday, 19 August. |
The car will be brought back to England and will end up at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire. | The car will be brought back to England and will end up at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire. |
It is made from a mixture of lightweight carbon-fibre composite and aluminium wrapped around a steel space frame chassis and fitted with 12 boilers containing nearly two miles of tubing. | It is made from a mixture of lightweight carbon-fibre composite and aluminium wrapped around a steel space frame chassis and fitted with 12 boilers containing nearly two miles of tubing. |