ThrustSSC

ThrustSSC is a British-designed and built jet-propelled car that holds the current World Land Speed Record, set on 15 October 1997. The car was driven by Andy Green in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA.

The ThrustSSC achieved a speed of 763.035 mph (1,227.986 km/h) over a flying mile, breaking the sound barrier and becoming the first land vehicle to officially do so. The speed was averaged over two runs in opposite directions within one hour.

The vehicle was powered by two afterburning Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engines, the same engines used in the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter jet. These engines produced approximately 110,000 horsepower.

The project was led by Richard Noble, who had previously held the Land Speed Record with Thrust2. The design team, led by Ron Ayers, focused on aerodynamic stability and minimizing drag to achieve supersonic speeds.

The success of ThrustSSC marked a significant achievement in engineering and motorsport, demonstrating the potential for human ingenuity to push the boundaries of speed and technology. The record remains unbroken as of 2024.