WDS Component Parts Ltd has expressed its delight at the first successful public test run of Bloodhound SSC, the British built supersonic land speed record car, on which it designed and supplied the angle plates for the suspension assembly jig.
RAF wing commander and current land speed record holder, Andy Green (pictured below), ran the Bloodhound from 0mph to 200mph in eight seconds at Newquay Airport in October 2017, providing 3,500 spectators with a 180dB taster of what the vehicle will be attempting in South Africa. WDS has been involved in the project, providing sponsorship support and bespoke angle plates for use in assembly jigs for the car’s front and rear suspension.
Building on a rich British tradition of pushing the limits of what’s possible on land, Bloodhound SSC expands on the legacy of Thrust SSC, the first land vehicle to successfully break the sound barrier in 1997. Bloodhound SSC aims to eclipse this record, with the team setting a final goal of cracking 1,000mph, an astonishing 447m a second. The one-mile-pass attempt will be carried out on the dry Hakskeen Pan lake bed in Northern Cape during 2020.
More resembling a rocket than a traditional car, Bloodhound SSC utilises a 135,000+ horsepower Rolls Royce EJ200 jet engine and bespoke rocket set-up. Manufacturing standards resemble those of the aerospace industry, with the racing car inspired carbon fibre ‘monocoque’ chassis and aircraft style panels designed to the most stringent tolerances. The project aims to showcase domestic manufacturing expertise, inspiring future engineers to progress in the industry.
WDS’ contribution is of particular importance, as the suspension will have to withstand forces of up to 30 tonnes during the record attempt. Suspension set-up is critical to the success of the run and the safety of Andy Green, as even the slightest inaccuracy could cause the Bloodhound to enter a terrifying high-speed drift – a widely noted issue with land speed record cars of the past. To overcome this, the Bloodhound team has selected a double wishbone suspension system similar to that used in Formula 1. To aid with precision, WDS designed and supplied the angle plates for the suspension assembly jig, which has ensured an optimum set-up for future runs. The business was well placed to accept the challenge, as it regular supplies high performance parts to Formula 1 teams and the aerospace industry.
“The first successful public test came as great news, and it’s all the more satisfying as our involvement has helped to enable this landmark project. We are no strangers to supporting this kind of endeavour, we also provided components for Thrust SSC, so it’s a privilege to be on the cusp of what’s humanly possible once again,” comments Phil Holyome, WDS sales engineer.
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Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
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