The science of speed

The science of speed is fraught with frustration for Russ Swan, but a chance meeting leads to a rather thrilling change of heart 

As a self-confessed geek, out and proud, I like to appreciate the many achievements of the human species. I routinely marvel at the wonders that science and technology have given us, but I also take a childish (and I'll admit, ecologically unenlightened) delight in the pursuit of old-fashioned brute force technological endeavours. I am especially and irrationally fond of attempts to break speed records.

It is less than a century since two-way land speed records have been formulated, in which a measured mile is traversed in opposite directions within an hour and the average speed recorded. At Brooklands in June 1914, one Lydston Hornsted set the first such record at the dizzying speed of 124mph.

That velocity is within the capabilities of many a modest car or motorbike (on private roads or the autobahn of course, officer).

It is a measure of how hard these records are to break that in the intervening 99 years the absolute land speed record has only increased by a factor of six. The inescapable mathematics are that drag resistance increases with the square of velocity, so that a doubling of speed demands a four-fold increase in power. Even so, and even recognising the non-trivial issue of transonic flow which brings a whole raft of new challenges, this looks poor compared to other areas of technology.

One thing I've learned in a lifetime of following speed record attempts is that progress is painfully slow. The irony of this is not lost.

Take the water speed record, for example. A few years ago I was invited, out of the blue, to host a table at a fund-raising dinner for the Quicksilver project which aims to restore to Britain the record for the fastest boat. They were clearly desperate for bums on seats, as the table of ten and meal were all gratis, although we were expected to buy raffle tickets and make other unspecified contributions. It was quite a do, with a mock-up of the boat, several minor celebrities, and a smattering of prominent engineers. The project was 75% ready, we were enthusiastically informed, and lake trials would get underway within 18 months.

That was in 2007, and as far as I can see the thing has yet to float – let alone challenge the 35 year-old record (Ken Warby in Spirit of Australia, 317.6mph in 1978).

Back on dry land [back? we never left it –Ed], I eagerly followed the British Steam Car Challenge in its tortuously long campaign to claim the oldest unbroken land speed record, set in 1906 at 127mph (a record set in one direction, in case you're wondering why it is faster than the 1914 record mentioned earlier). After five years of hard graft, and with the resources of a leading university plus a rich benefactor, the team in 2009 eventually boosted the record to nearly 140mph.

Excuse me while I fail to be impressed. With all the benefit of a full century of scientific progress, with lightweight materials, and modern understanding of aerodynamics, they made a car that was 10% faster.

I'm hoping to be more impressed by the next land speed attempt, although I'm also a bit anxious that it may be the last. The ultimate record currently stands at 763mph, set by Andy Green in Thrust SSC in 1997. The project to beat this is called Bloodhound, and combines an engine from a fighter jet with a rather overspecified Guy Fawkes rocket to attempt to break 1000mph.

You may be surprised to learn that, despite living the impossibly glamorous lifestyle of a small-time science writer, I rarely find myself attending posh functions at gentlemen's clubs in Pall Mall. Nevertheless, last month I found myself at just such a venue, making small talk with a tall chap of unmistakeable military bearing. Dear reader, I confess I nearly wet myself with excitement when I realised this was the actual Andy Green, working the room at an unconnected event in order to promote the Bloodhound project.

It's already 16 years since he became the first (and so far only) human to go supersonic at ground level, and it will be 2015 at the earliest that Bloodhound will make the 1000mph attempt in South Africa. Who is going to drive this thing, I asked him. As well as being a follower of speed record attempts, I've often hankered after one of my own. This might be the ideal opportunity to throw my hat into the ring.

"Ah, interesting story" he told me. "They put me in charge of recruiting the driver and I drew up a list of qualities and experience that would be necessary. I considered each of the candidates, and whittled them down until I was left with just one name."

He smiled as the waiter topped up our glasses. "Mine."