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Joseph Whitaker School rocket car breaks world speed record | Joseph Whitaker School rocket car breaks world speed record |
(2 days later) | |
A team of schoolchildren's rocket-powered model car has broken the world speed record, it is claimed. | A team of schoolchildren's rocket-powered model car has broken the world speed record, it is claimed. |
Pupils at The Joseph Whitaker School in Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, broke the record at their first attempt with a speed of 478.1mph (769.4km/h). | |
However, later, a different car they had built went even faster and hit an average speed of 533.1mph (857.9km/h). | |
The footage from the Rolls-Royce runway in Hucknall will now be sent to Guinness for verification. | The footage from the Rolls-Royce runway in Hucknall will now be sent to Guinness for verification. |
If the speed is verified, it will have smashed the existing record held by Samvir Thandi and the Heathland School in Middlesex, whose car reached 287.6mph (462.84 km/h) in March. | |
The Young Engineers tweeted: "We have a confirmed 478.1mph average by Red Shift! Well done to all the young engineers - world record holders!!" | |
However, after a further attempt with a car they had nicknamed Insanity, the team went on to set an even bigger record. | |
Phil Worsley, the teacher in charge of the Young Engineers club, said: "When people watch our rockets they don't anticipate the speed, their heads lag behind the car. | |
"[The pupils] are absolutely amazing. The most amazing bunch of people I've ever worked with." | |
The cars, which are about 45cm (17in) long and constructed from carbon fibre, run on titanium wheels and are guided by a 250m (820ft) steel cable. | The cars, which are about 45cm (17in) long and constructed from carbon fibre, run on titanium wheels and are guided by a 250m (820ft) steel cable. |
All parts have been stuck together with strong glue and at the end of each run, the cars come to a stop using small parachutes. | All parts have been stuck together with strong glue and at the end of each run, the cars come to a stop using small parachutes. |
The pupils have been working on the project for about a year. | The pupils have been working on the project for about a year. |
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