BEMBRIDGE boatbuilder Mike Horne is playing a leading role in a British attempt to wrestle the longest-standing world land speed record in history, from the US.
Mike, 70, who is also a composite bodywork specialist, built the front and bodypanels of the British Steam Car and is part of the turnaround crew aiming to claim the record at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
Part of a team of veteran engineers, working on a shoestring budget, Mike was, on Wednesday, the first to "drive" the car on American soil as it was unloaded.
Mike, who was previously involved with the two Thrust world land speed records, has been working on the project for five years.
"It’s been a long struggle but it’s great to finally be here and see all the parts I have made on the car. It might be powered by steam but it is a sophisticated, computerised machine full of safety features.
"After all, it has to be when you have a car with 12 boilers that have to be synchronised, with steam heated to 400C by gas."
Dubbed "The Fastest Kettle", steam is injected into the car’s turbine at more than twice the speed of sound — enough to make 23 cups of tea per second.
The team aims to break the 127mph world record, set in 1906.
The team has an 11-day window starting on Monday at the air force base, best known as the desert landing strip for space shuttles.
Project manager Mike Candy said: "The project is a true testament of British engineering and ingenuity, good teamwork and perseverance. I often refer to the project as "Fred in a shed" — as it was built by a small team of ageing engineers in a disused farm building.
• Mike’s son, Chris, has also played a big part in a British land speed record attempt, by building a large scale model of the jet and rocket-powered Bloodhound. The full-size car is designed to reach 1,000mph in 49 seconds.
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk