Posted on Thursday 1 May 2008
After eight years of development, the British Steam Car Team are now just months away from attempting to break the world speed record for a steam-powered car – a record that has stood since 1906. The speed to beat is 127.659mph (205km/h) and organizers are comfortable of reaching a new top speed of 200mph (322km/h).
Before attempting the world steam car speed record, the British Steam Car Team expects to secure the UK record at Elvington, near York, in July. After that, the team will head to the Bonneville Salt Flats in the U.S. and will make their attempt at the 60th Bonneville Speed Week from 18 to 24 August.
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. 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.
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.
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.
mwow; understandable; steam is steam. I’m just saying, its apples and oranges. or like…. tangerines and oranges. or something like that.
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!!!
If only i wasn’t a 2 day drive away from bonneville,…
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?