WIREDGOV

 Does visiting the testing site of a Super Sonic Car sound exciting? If so, then this is the competition for you!

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) are teaming up with the BLOODHOUND Project team to invite youngsters up and down the country to get their creative thinking-caps on and come up with designs for the world’s fastest bicycle.

Last October, former World Land Speed Record holder Richard Noble announced an exciting new initiative to break the current record known as ‘The BLOODHOUND Project’. The three year programme aims to smash the current record, 763mph (Mach 1.03), by creating a Super Sonic Car that could reach speeds of an exhilarating 1000mph.

Dstl’s competition is based around the principles of aerodynamics. Students are asked to use the theory of aerodynamics to come up with a design for the fastest bike in the world. Students’ designs may include drawings, computer-generated images, models or even photographs of modified bicycles!

The prize up for grabs is Gold Membership to the BLOODHOUND SSC 1K Club, which includes a visit to the BLOODHOUND development site to see the Super Sonic Car being built and tested, regular BLOODHOUND newsletters and invitations to 1K Club events. There will be separate categories for primary and secondary school students and a winner will be selected from each.

Dstl, who are providing scientific and technical advice to the engineering team, are keen to use their involvement with the project to encourage more young people to take an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This fun and challenging competition is aiming to engage children with science and engineering in a way that will not only educate them, but will also allow for their own creativity and innovation.

Details of how to enter , as well as background information on BLOODHOUND SSC and the principles of aerodynamics can all be found at www.dstl.gov.uk/competitions.


Dstl’s Involvement

Dstl provides support to the engineering team via its coordination of all research and technology capture between the BLOODHOUND Project and the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Andrew Sims, Dstl’s technical contact with BLOODHOUND, said: "Of importance to Dstl is our desire to use our involvement with exciting science and technology projects to help young people discover that a future career in science or engineering can be challenging, rewarding and exciting. The BLOODHOUND Project provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to do this."

For further information on the whole project, please visit:

www.bloodhoundssc.com.

Notes to editors,

Dstl

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is a centre of scientific excellence for the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Its 3,500 strong workforce includes some of the nation’s most talented and creative scientists with the brief to ensure that the UK Armed Forces and Government are supported in-house by the very best impartial scientific and technological advice. Dstl’s position at the heart of the MOD means that its advice is trusted by governments, academia, industry and international partners. It offers timely and accurate advice at all levels of military planning and operations, both overseas and on the home front. For more information please visit www.dstl.gov.uk 

World Land Speed Record

Richard Noble set the World Land Speed Record at 633mph in 1983, whilst driving THRUST 2.
In 1997, Wg Cdr Andy Green drove THRUST SSC ( with support from Richard Noble) setting a new World Land Speed Record at 763mph/ Mach 1.0.
He is the only officially recognised person as having driven a land vehicle at supersonic speed.
Andy has been appointed as the driver of BLOODHOUND SSC.
There is serious competition to break this record by Australian and US teams