Supersonic motor marvel to feature at Burpham show

Richard Noble, Bloodhoud SSC project director stands by the supersonic marvel, which will take centre stage at the Auto Historica event, in Burpham PHOTO: Stefan Morjoram

The Burpham Motor Racing Club (BMRC) is holding its fourth annual classic car and motorbike show, now rebranded Auto Historica, on September 1, which will this year feature the Bloodhound SSC – a jet-powered vehicle capable of 1,000 miles per hour.

The mechanical marvel – which next year will attempt to set a new land speed record – will be on-site for all to see at the event, at the village’s cricket ground.

Show director Dominic Santana, of BMRC, said it will be biggest event the club has staged yet. “I’m really excited about this year’s show. It’s a real privilege to have the team from Bloodhound SSC with us.

“It’s an incredible feat of British engineering and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance for people to see it, have photos with it and meet some of the people who built it,” he said.

He added that there had been initial fears the jet-powered car might not make it into the show ground. “It’s a monster of a car, it’s absolutely enormous,” he admitted. “But we did a recce in March, and it can just about get on-site, which is a relief.”

The Bloodhound will depart early next year to South Africa, where Wing Commander Andy Green, the current world land speed record holder, hopes to break the 1,000 miles per hour barrier.

Project director Richard Noble will be giving a talk at the show, explaining the challenges and potential risks behind building the world’s fastest super car.

There will also be a Bloodhound simulator for people to try, as well as hundreds of other classic cars and motorbikes, and a life-size replica Spitfire to see.

The day will be supporting Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice.

Dominic is appealing for commercial sponsors to come forward and support the record attempt. For more information, see here.