British Steam Car Makes Race Retro Debut

In the earliest days of motoring steam was seen as an alternative to petrol-powered car, but it has been almost forgotten by all but the keenest enthusiasts, many of whom comprise the British Steam Car team.

Their car set five world records this/last August at Edwards Air Force base in the Mojave Desert, and it has brought to the UK a 103-year old world record set by Fred Marriot, who, driving on Florida's Daytona Sands, achieved 127mph in 1906.

The British Steam Car was driven by team principal Charles Burnett 111 and Don Wales, grandson of Bluebird creator and Land Speed Record holder Sir Malcolm Campbell, and nephew of Donald Campbell: the car, which uses 12 boilers and almost two miles of tubing, hit an average speed of 139.843mph over two timed runs.

During the century-plus since the record was originally set, technology has advanced steam propulsion: the UK-built car features the latest steam technology and weight-saving materials. Using a steel spaceframe chassis clad in a carbonfibre and aluminium body, the car is 25 feet long and tips the scales at three tons.

Under the composite skin demineralised water is pumped into the boilers at the rate of 50 litres a minute, and the burners generate three megawatts of heat. Steam is then injected into the turbine at twice the speed of sound.

Race Retro will be giving the British Steam Car team a pride of place for its world-beating achievements, especially as driver Don Wales already holds nine electric car records in his car, the latest to carry the Bluebird name. Project manager Matt Candy and engineer Nick Bass will also be on hand to discuss the latest in land speed records captured by a British car.

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