BritishSteamCarChallenge
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Steam-powered Batmobile choo choos to world record 140mph (updated with video)
We'll burst that bubble right quick and say it's not actually a Batmobile, but it sure reminds us of one. The British Steam Car Challenge might not have reached its original goal of 200mph, but it has finally succeeded in becoming the world's fastest boiler on wheels. We noted preparations for the world record attempt back in April and, somewhat surprisingly, all has gone to plan and pilot Charles Burnett III now has broken a 100 year old record to go with his flamboyant pair of spectacles. That's the Brits for you -- break records in the morning, have tea and crumpets in the afternoon. Update: We've got video now! See the rocket of steam after the break.
New steam powered car poised to break 200mph
Not since Back To The Future III have we been so stoked about the idea of retro-futuristic steam-powered transportation: the British Steam Car Challenge aims to pit man, machine, and gaseous water against the 1906 record for land-speed steam-powered speed, about 128mph. Granted, this high-performance machine is still technically gas-powered, but the petrol is powering the steam drive, so it's a little different from locomotives of yore. Though this project was technically started in 1999, apparently Slough Heat & Power in Berkshire is providing a custom built gantry for steam production for the car's first real test in South Africa this coming June (then it's on to the salt flats). Nope, it's not really in the same league as the JCB DieselMax that broke 350mph a couple months back, but steam power is the wave of the, um, past -- and don't you forget it.
