Video and Photo's now on 'You Tube'

Photo and video logs of our progress are now being uploaded on 'You Tube' so its now possible to see what we're up to and the progress we're making (or not making as the case has been for many weeks in the latter part of 2006).
The first video uploaded today being the first bench tests of the engine which were delayed due to not having a CO2 fire extinguisher available. As this was the first time either of us had run a jet engine we weren't taking any risks!! This can be viewed via the following link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMWH25LUqXo
The next video which will be uploaded soon and will be a slide show of the photos which appear in the Snapfish gallery as mentioned in the January update.

January Update

Having now sorted out the issues with suppliers of parts, we are now getting much closer to having the prototype built ready for testing and demonstration.
The chassis, laser cut from 3mm alluminium sheet by Hamilton's Fabrications has been fitted out with the running gear, suspension and central braking system.
In the last week, we have test fitted the support components for the gas turbine engine and have checked the cable runs and fuel feeds to the engine.
These are now ready for instalation once we collect the engine mount this time cut from 2mm aluminium sheet and support brackets which are being manufactured again by Hamilton's Fabrications. These should be ready by Jan 26th and we should then have photo's of the completed car (with the exception of bodywork). This will take much longer to develop and perfect!!
We now have a site where we will post the photo's and video's of the cars development which can be found at http://mach2hamster.snapfish.co.uk/ and enter the following 'room code' mach2.
Enjoy.

Overview of the task ahead

Speed records with vehicle have always been a challenge to those involved breaking the boundaries of what is accepted to be possible. This project has been dismissed by many as 'not possible' and is not only an immense challenge for ourselves but also for the physics involved. As an example the wheels on a Formula One car turn at almost 4000rpm at 190mph, on our car the wheels are estimated to turn at up to 40,000rpm and the precise engineering of the hubs and bearings on such a small scale is proving a feat in itself as the heat build up will melt or at least seize any of the parts readily available in the marketplace.
The condition of the tarmac on the track will also be a challenge requiring approximately 2 miles of perfectly smooth tarmac as even the slightest piece of gravel at this scale and this speed would be like Thrust SSC hitting a rock on the salt flats in its attempt.
Control of this vehicle is also an unknown at this time as along a two mile track it is not possible for the controller to see the car sufficiently to control the car from a fixed point and a following vehicle was decided upon for this, however there is no car currently available with the acceleration capabilities to keep up with the record car and a helicopter appears to be the only option that could stay even close to the model for the driver to operate the and follow the car.
These are only a few of the boundaries being breached in this attempt and we feel it is of significant importance and achievement not only for ourselves but for model builders, enthusiasts, engineers, and the public alike - if it is at all possible to achieve.