Concorde, Thrust and an MGC have shared links.

Last year we ran several reports on Thrust SSC and its progress towards the target of being the first car to break the sound barrier. Project originator Richard Noble, himself the current Land Speed Record Holder in Thrust 2 at a magnificent 633.468 mph, is impressed that he is still the fastest man in the world after 13 years. Despite the fact that he will not be behind the wheel this time, Richard is hoping that Squadron Leader Andy Green will partner the new Thrust to the sonic boom and beyond, smashing the current record by well over 100 mph. Shortage of funds has meant that the project is 12 months behind schedule but things are now a little brighter for the Team. Thrust SSC is built and ready to go. August will see her testing along RAF Farnborough’s runways to speeds of 200 mph and if all goes well, is then off for high speed tests along a 10 mile stretch of Jordanian desert. By the time this is in print, pilot Andy may well have captured the existing Land Speed Record, almost an incidental fact on the way to faster and greater achievements. It is not known whether 10 miles is long enough to go supersonic, so a date with the Black Rock Desert in Nevada has been set for September, the saltflats where Richard last sped to glory for Britain in 1983.

Thrust SSC may not be the only vehicle basking in the Nevada autumn sunshine. The 59-year old Craig Breedlove, who has held the record 5 times, will probably be there with his 700 mph contender Spirit of America. This car is dramatically smaller and lighter than the English challenger: length 47 feet (Thrust is 10′ longer); weight 4.5 tons (Thrust = 7 tons); powered by one Phantom jet engine (Thrust has 2 Rolls-Royce Spey jets). Craig’s primary target is to take the current LSR and will only then consider going through the ‘big bang’ if he is successful in his aim.

 Our interest in the project now lies beyond the shared goal of both MGs and Thrust creating records and making history. One of our MGOC members is actively involved in the building of Thrust SSC. MGC owner Phil Cubitt is the Marketing Director for Marilake Instruments, the company who have made the dashboard panel for the potential record breaker. As Phil Cubitt explained: “We were approached by Andy Green who followed up his ‘phone call a few hours later with a visit. He had drawings of what he wanted, laid them on the table and within minutes we said “yes, we’ll do it”. We have supplied, converted and fitted all the instruments that are now assembled in Thrust SSC.

“Andy’s main criteria was that he did not want to get bombarded with information that was not relevant whilst at speed. As a pilot he is trained to scan and assimilate the instrument panel in just micro-seconds – he will be pretty busy keeping his right foot depressed, trying to keep the car in a straight line and then remembering to push the parachute release switch at the end of the run!”

It was not luck or coincidence that originally took Andy down to Marilake, based at Bournemouth International Airport in Dorest. The company have an excellent reputation in their field, currently celebrating their 25th birthday and are unique in that they are basically a small family run business. “Marilake Instruments is involved in the overhaul and repair of avionic associated equipment. In other words, or work lies in the cockpit. Our competitors are mostly the avionic giants with airlines themselves, all of whom have their own maintenance facilities. It was my father who established Marilake, seeing a gap in the market for servicing the instruments on American aircraft in this country. We are now recognised as the warranty approved service centre in Britain for major US companies and also have military capabilities, looking after the MOD (fixed and rotor wing), commercial and executive aircraft and Concorde.

“Our Concorde connection came 10 years ago when British Airways were looking for new cabin display systems. We developed a system that they liked and subsequently produced 36 such systems for the British Airways Concorde Fleet. We have now gone full circle, providing displays on supersonic aircraft and also involved in supersonic cars!” Naturally, many of Phil’s clients are based at airports which means, as holder of a Private Pilot’s Licence and also twin-engine rated, he can literally pay them flying visits.

So what exactly will Andy be looking at as he flies across the desert at speeds of Mach One plus? “The two big dials on the top left hand side are the ones in which he will be most interested. Taken from Phantom aircraft means that Andy is familiar with (ratio between zero and speed of sound) and his air speed indicator which gives him an accurate ground speed in mph (converted from knots per hour). 750 mph is about the speed of sound depending on altitude. The other instruments will only operate when stationary so Andy cannot get distracted when in motion. We have recalibrated and rescreened many of the instruments so that they have a digital read-out. With 2 engines on board, there are duel flow, thrust, temperature, battery power supply etc. Although the engineers will be more interested in these at turn-round (Andy has to do 2 runs within the hour), he will be in the cock-pit for the duration and will have a chance to study them and and ensure that he has enough power to wind up the car on its re-run. Since he showed us his original plan for the instrument panel we have simplified it purely because of the strict space limitations within the Thrust cockpit, duplicated some information on certain instruments and negated others. He is entirely happy with the lay-out and we are extremely proud of ourselves that from the day he first visited us, through design to calibration, the panel only took three months to complete.”

It is obvious that Phil holds a passion for his work and is thrilled to be part of the Thrust supersonic attempt. “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to be involved in making history” he said. “It is such an exciting project and we are delighted that our quality assurance chief inspector Robert Atkinson has now been made an official member of the Thrust SSC Team and will be travelling with them to Jordan and Black Rock.” Generously, all the work, time, costs of materials and labour that Marilake have put into the project has been completely voluntary and all down to sponsorship.

Phil’s other passion is his MGC. “I purchased my first MG – a ’76 Midget – in 1992. It was serviced by Roger Taylor Classic Cars and I remember even on my first visit noticing a rusty, unrecognisable heap in the corner. Approximately 9 months after first purchasing the Midget I decided that I wanted something with a little more power, so that I could do some overtaking instead of everything overtaking me!

Roger introduced me to the delights of the MGC and casually mentioned that the rusty heap was also one. It took trust to believe his words that the pile of bits in the corner could be transformed into an immaculate MGC but I had faith and true to his word, only months later the car was completed.” Phil claims he will never part with his MGC. “Occasionally I get attracted by pictures in glossy magazines but realize that I have a relatively rare vehicle in beautiful condition and have not been tempted to look further.” In his three years of ownership, the C has completed each Regency Run and participates “in an annual pilgrimage to Le Mans with a few other fellow classic owners. Roger Taylor’s co-director Jim Castle and two friends own the 1978 John Player Special Formula One mobile home and allows us to use their facilities during the 24 hour race. It was Mario Andretti’s and Ronnie Peterson’s hospitality unit but the likes of Mansell and Senna have often used it so it’s a nice thought that such famous people have shared it too.”

Co-incidentally, Phil crossed paths with Richard Noble 15 years ago when both were learning to fly. “After one particular lesson” he recounted, “I was propping up the bar eves-dropping on a conversation I thought was about motor-cycles. This chap was talking about Bonnevilles and 650’s. “Big head” I thought and couldn’t help barging in with the comment “oh yeah, why don’t you try a Norton!” I was then informed that this was the current contender for the Land Speed Record and the referrals were to deserts and mph. Of course, two years later in 1983 he did capture the record and I have since learnt to keep such comments to myself!”

Interested in up-to-date news on Thrust SSC? Then join the Mach 1 Club. Details from PO Box 77, Hampton, TW12 2XN