Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Bloodhound LSR supersonic car hits record speeds in South Africa
New Atlas ^ | 28 Oct 2019 | Nick Lavars

Posted on 10/29/2019 11:54:26 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT

It has been a stop-start affair of late for the Bloodhound supersonic car, which was on the brink bankruptcy last year but now has the land speed record again firmly in its sights.

Then for the grand finale, the EJ200 jet engine fired up its afterburners for a full 12-second reheat, which established that it is functioning properly, and propelled the Bloodhound LSR to 334 mph (537 km/h), a record for the now 11-year-old project. This run marks the beginning of the high-speed testing program, with the team to build up to a target speed of 500 mph (800 km/h) over the next four weeks in 50-mph (80-km/h) increments.

Ultimately, the team is working towards two key objectives. First, it aspires to break the land speed record, which currently stands at 763.035 mph (1,227.9 km/h). From there, it will set its sights on blasting past the 1,000-mph-mark (1,609 km/h). It is planning for the land speed record attempt in late 2020.

(Excerpt) Read more at newatlas.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: africa; automotive; soon
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-24 next last
Godspeed!
1 posted on 10/29/2019 11:54:26 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: DUMBGRUNT

Yea but its easier in South Africa because its down hill.


2 posted on 10/29/2019 11:56:25 AM PDT by Zathras
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DUMBGRUNT

Can drive ca to ny in three hours. Except for the slow moving traffic.


3 posted on 10/29/2019 11:57:43 AM PDT by going hot (happiness is a momma deuce)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DUMBGRUNT

The aero design to keep that car controllable must have been a real blast.


4 posted on 10/29/2019 12:00:38 PM PDT by doorgunner69
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DUMBGRUNT

Soon an electric LSR!

Multiple Tesla motors driving the turbine shaft, the afterburner is a bit tricky.
The Lithium-ion batteries will be run into superheat then the airflow will be ducted over them for the final push.
Hoping to stage the individual battery cells to ramp it up.


5 posted on 10/29/2019 12:05:31 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zathras

easier in South Africa because its down hill.

And do not overlook the Coriolis effect.


6 posted on 10/29/2019 12:07:11 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: doorgunner69

The aero design to keep that car controllable must have been a real blast.

And they are looking to add a rocket booster to go supersonic.

The transonic will be fun and the other side gets weird, plus ground effect???

Are supersonic wind tunnels a common appliance?


7 posted on 10/29/2019 12:12:45 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: doorgunner69

8 posted on 10/29/2019 12:13:35 PM PDT by hattend
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: hattend

wingless space shuttle on wheels

Needs some short wings over the back wheels to complete the ensemble


9 posted on 10/29/2019 12:38:31 PM PDT by Pollard (If you don't understand what I typed, you haven't read the classics.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: DUMBGRUNT
Soon an electric LSR!

Uh, there's "Buckeye Bullet" series of vehicles.

Average speed was ~341 mph, the last speed trials, I believe.

10 posted on 10/29/2019 12:44:35 PM PDT by Calvin Locke
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: DUMBGRUNT

Not very practical.


11 posted on 10/29/2019 12:47:10 PM PDT by bgill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zathras

Only if they were driving North to South.


12 posted on 10/29/2019 12:50:54 PM PDT by Gman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Calvin Locke

“The Buckeye Bullet is a series of experimental electric cars created by Ohio State University students as a joint project with Venturi.”

That is impressive!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckeye_Bullet

Power source: 10,000 rechargeable c-cell batteries
Motor: Custom 400 horsepower (300 kW) 3-phase AC power motor

Curb weight: 4000 lb (1814 kg)


13 posted on 10/29/2019 12:54:00 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: bgill

You can’t even put the garage door down. Too damn long.


14 posted on 10/29/2019 1:10:44 PM PDT by woodbutcher1963
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: bgill

Not very practical.

Like any other performance car, you take it out late nights after traffic has cleared.

Hellcat, Porche Turbo, Tesla S...or just keep it all shined up in the garage?

Or just maybe get it on a track once or twice a year.


15 posted on 10/29/2019 1:11:49 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: DUMBGRUNT

What’s more impressive is being able to change all those batteries in less than an hour in order to make the return trip.


16 posted on 10/29/2019 1:38:21 PM PDT by Calvin Locke
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Calvin Locke
being able to change all those batteries in less than an hour in order to make the return trip.

Nice!
Two thumbs up!!!

Must be like an Indy pit stop with a hundred or so on each side?

17 posted on 10/29/2019 1:52:42 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: DUMBGRUNT

How you deal with a shockwave bouncing off the ground and back up to the underbody would be interesting.


18 posted on 10/29/2019 2:00:43 PM PDT by doorgunner69
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: DUMBGRUNT

At what speed does centrifugal force rip the tires apart?


19 posted on 10/29/2019 2:02:48 PM PDT by Tucker39 ("It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." George Washington)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tucker39

IIRC typically they are solid forged aluminum, no rubber.


20 posted on 10/29/2019 2:11:19 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-24 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson