Two jet-powered cars are to go head to head in Gloucestershire in a bid to break the British land speed record.
The current record is held by Colin Farrows, 54, from Northampton, in his Gnat jet powered dragster - Vampire - which reached 300.3mph in 2000.
At RAF Fairford on Friday, he will attempt to break his record, but will face competition.
Split Second, driven by Mark Newby, 48, from Oxford, is powered by a Rolls-Royce Viper engine.
The engine comes from a commercial jet, putting out more than 6,000lb of thrust.
We have been allowed to use one of, if not the, longest runways in the UK
- Malcolm Pittwood, team manager
The record attempt is being organised by Primetime Land Speed Engineering.
Team manager Malcolm Pittwood said: "We have been allowed to use one of, if not the, longest runways in the UK.
"The signs are good that the cars will both break 300mph and we will achieve a new top speed."
The world record was set by RAF pilot Andy Green who broke the sound barrier in Thrust SSC, achieving a speed of 763mph in the Nevada desert in 1997.
There will also be an attempt at Fairford, to break the 138mph record for an electric car.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk...156980.stm
Published: 2006/07/07 07:43:17 GMT
© BBC MMVI
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