BLOODHOUND’s dual-pronged attack MCT V12 in running to be fastest piston engine in history…

BLOODHOUND SSC, the land speed record attempt unveiled in London today by Richard Noble, will be utilising a Menard Competition Technologies (MCT) – designed V12 engine as an integral part of the propulsion package for the project, alongside a Eurofighter jet engine. The V12 unit will be providing over 27,500 pounds of thrust and delivering a tonne of propellant within 17 seconds to the car’s rocket, whilst also powering the vehicle’s electronic and hydraulic systems. If the car reaches its 1.4 mach, 1,000mph target, the V12 motor will become the fastest piston engine in history.

The BLOODHOUND Project, which is aimed at promoting engineering as a career in the UK, will culminate in a record attempt in September 2009, where the intention is to break the present 763 mph benchmark. Design and manufacture phases continue for the project and UK testing will take place in July 2009, before the car and equipment are shipped out to the record attempt site.

The primary power for the BLOODHOUND SSC car is a Eurofighter jet engine, while the attempt will also benefit from an 18 inch, hydrogen peroxide-fuelled rocket, for additional thrust once the car reaches 350 mph. That rocket will need a tonne of hydrogen peroxide propellant over the course of 17 seconds – and the fuel will be delivered utilising the MCT V12 unit. The V12 will also power the electronics and auxiliary systems, as well as the hydraulic pump used to start the jet engine.

John Piper, head of design for the BLOODHOUND Project, takes up the story: “We needed to find an engine that was light and flexible - and able to deliver in excess of 700 horsepower. We looked at various options, including turbine engines from the helicopter world but the state of the art MCT V12 won the day. At the moment, we’re working with MCT at its Kidlington dynamometer facility, running characterisation work on the engine and pump combination. Those tests are proceeding extremely well, with the engine giving us the flexibility, power and rev range that we need.”

He continued: “The guys at MCT have been fantastically supportive. The added bonus is that racing people understand the pressures of the timescales that we’re under. So, it’s a great fit…”

Richard Noble, the man behind the team that took the world land speed record back in 1997, said: “BLOODHOUND SSC is a hugely ambitious project and one that requires an extremely strong support team. In our collaboration with MCT, we know we have brought in the right partners to help us in our efforts.”

MCT’s Kevin Lee noted: “We’re extremely proud to be involved with BLOODHOUND and are giving the team the ultimate in push to pass technology! Britain has an unrivalled pedigree, where land speed record and motorsport are concerned and MCT is very much at the heart of those industries. Our partnership with BLOODHOUND showcases our expertise and hopefully will attract more graduates and engineers into the advanced engineering fields in the UK.”

For more information or photography, please contact Richard Postins
or St John White at Prova on 01926 776900.

Visit the Bloodhound web site www.bloodhoundssc.com

Notes to editors:

Menard Competition Technologies Limited (MCT) is based at Leafield Technical Centre, near Witney, Oxfordshire and offers bespoke solutions to the motorsport, advanced automotive and aerospace sectors. Its United States facility is based in Indianapolis.

Expertise includes total engine design, development and manufacturing capabilities, transmission dynamometer, as well as total project management and track support.

MCT’s customers include leading teams and manufacturers from NASCAR, international sports car series and a number of European and North American single seater championships.

MCT has in excess of thirty year’s experience at the pinnacle of the world motorsport industry. Its management team boasts championship success across F1, sportscars, touring cars, IRL, CART and NASCAR.