Bluebird Electric Team gear up for a new Land Speed Record

Bluebird Electric Team gear up for a new Land Speed Record

The weekend of 2/3 July 2011 will be a momentous occasion. Records are set to be broken and history made as Don Wales and the Bluebird Electric team endeavour to break the UK Land Speed Record on the 4-mile stretch of beach at Pendine Sands, South Wales.


The speed trial, part of the preparations for an attempt in 2013 to break 500mph, has been made possible thanks to an overwhelming response from volunteers who are generously giving up their time to help marshal and assist the 30-strong Bluebird Electric team.

This is not the first time a Bluebird has set Land Speed records at Pendine. Don Wales is following in a family tradition started by his grandfather, Sir Malcolm Campbell MBE and continued by his Uncle, Donald Campbell CBE.

If the public want to witness the feat first hand, the team welcomes spectators to cheer them along and show their support at Pendine Sands. The runs will commence from 1.00pm on Saturday 2nd July and 2.00pm on Sunday 3rd July 2011.

In addition to the record attempt, Bluebird Electric will be raising awareness for their chosen charities; Help for Heroes, Wessex Heartbeat and The Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals

Don Wales at Pendine Sands in June 2000

Don Wales and Bluebird Electric also extend their thanks to their sponsors Castrol, Aggreko, Ford, Goodyear, Dura, Bluestone and the Prince of Wales Hotel Pembrokeshire whose support and services have been invaluable throughout.

Sir Malcolm Campbell broke the speed record nine times in various Bluebird cars powered by both Napier and Rolls Royce engines. His records set at Pendine Sands were:

• 25 September 1924 -- 146.16 mph
• 21 July 1925 -- 150.766mph
• 4 February 1927 -- 174.88mph
• He achieved 301.12mph in 1935 on the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah.
• His son, Donald, continued the record breaking tradition and broke the 400mph barrier in a turbine powered Bluebird.
• Don Wales, nephew of Donald, holds a World Land Speed Record, two American National Records and eight UK records.

[Source : NEWSPRESS]