The team rolled out the car for the first time last week, completing several low-speed runs before attempting one high-speed attempt. Organizers now hope to make their first record attempt early next year and are in talks with officials at Edwards Air Force Base in California to use a local dry lake bed. Of given the go-ahead, the Southern California Timing Association will be on hand to marshal the event.
The layout of the steam car shares many characteristics with regular production vehicles. It’s a rear wheel powered, rear engine vehicle that has a traditional rack and pinion front wheel steering system. The braking system consists of four wheel discs (parachute assisted) and there is double wishbone independent suspension at all four corners.
Power comes from a two stage steam turbine fed by a boiler running on LPG and developing a peal of 360hp (268kW). The 13in diameter turbine drives an epicyclical gear train with a 4:1 ratio for a wheel speed of 3,000rpm at 200mph. The boiler section is in the center of the car directly behind the single seat cockpit. For space reasons, there are actually four separate boilers each capable of being run independently.
Reader Comments
Thu May 1 2008 1:06 PM
chris says
hrm.. steam TURBINE? wouldnt that be a different class than the current holder that is probably a steam piston design?
none the less, very cool idea. makes me wonder if steam power could actually be viable in warmer climates as an alternative fuel. i'm sure the greens would hate it because its burning a fuel AND producing steam which is far worse of a greenhouse gas than CO2. but steam condenses into rain.
regardless. very cool.
Thu May 1 2008 1:19 PM
MyWheelsOnWalls.com says
I believe the rules state that steam is steam. I'm looking forward to being their this year as I had no idea they were going to go for the record this year.
Thu May 1 2008 2:33 PM
chris says
mwow; understandable; steam is steam. I'm just saying, its apples and oranges. or like.... tangerines and oranges. or something like that.
Thu May 1 2008 2:43 PM
MyWheelsOnWalls.com says
Chris- You are absolutely right and if the FIA governed such events steam would not be created equally.
If this case its the SCTA who are a great crowd and such racing is one of the last and only forms of motorsport where money and rules do not rule but the the racer and what he/she is trying to achieve does.
If you ever get the chance to check them out. There is a rookies guide to attending on this site http://www.saltflats.com/ or directly go here http://www.saltflats.com/Getting%20Started%20Guide.html
Once again a superb trip!!!
Thu May 1 2008 6:00 PM
chris says
If only i wasn't a 2 day drive away from bonneville,...
Thu May 1 2008 6:11 PM
Raptor says
Chris look at it in a bright way. It would take me 2 days to get there by plane(s). :)
One thing I do wish to see is that British supersonic jet car in action. They tested it in Bonnewille, right?
Sat Dec 13 2008 12:40 AM
J-Kwon says
I congratulate their accomplishment. If this team manages to efficiently design mass producible vehicles, we may see a new kind of green car in the future.
Sat Dec 13 2008 10:11 AM
Mike says
J-Kwon- well, it would be nothing new considering steam cars predate the internal combustion engine. The White Steam Car company and Stanley Steamer company both competed with other cars around the turn of the 20th century. Jay Leno has both. Cool stuff though.
Sat Dec 13 2008 10:48 PM
Chris says
mike: right on the head there.. also.. electric cars predate gasoline as well. but it has to be said that as with electric, predating and being replaced by gasoline doesnt necessarily make it a worse technology than gasoline. working in the power generation industry.. you get a certain respect for steam. my life has come to depend on it.
Fri Apr 3 2009 7:52 PM
earthworm says
Forget the damned "greenies".
They are obstructionists, much like our Republicans.
As an automotive mode of power, steam just takes up too much space, but in conjunction with the computer, does have merit..
I think its silly to try to race these vehicles.
Economical feasibility is the important thing.
Leave a Comment
Login or register to leave comments.
Please keep your comments on topic. Your involvement is governed by our Privacy Policy and Terms.