The team behind BLOODHOUND SSC land speed record attempt are calling for volunteers to help prepare the track for their 1000mph record attempt.
But be warned - this isn't exactly like sweeping a race circuit clean; the volunteers' task will be to pick up every rock, stone and pebble over an area of 24 million square metres. By hand.
The track, on the Hakskeen Pan desert in the remote North West corner of South Africa, must be cleared because a stone flung up by the front wheels at 1000mph could punch a hole in the car's thin alloy bodywork or severely damage one of its four solid aluminium wheels. And you don't want that to happen at supersonic speeds.
A team of 300 local people have already started work, but the BLOODHOUND guys are also looking for eager, brave volunteers to do their bit for the 120-day task, as this rather unusual classified ad in today's Times (22 November) explains:
"People wanted to clear desert track for 1,000 mph racing car. No wages, constant heat, tough work in beautiful but remote Hakskeen Pan, Northern Cape, South Africa. Scorpions may be present. Inspiring next generation of engineers the reward.
Apply to: www.bloodhoundssc.com/desertvolunteers.cfm"
The advert is intended to recall the most (in)famous job ad of all time, supposedly placed by Polar explorer Earnest Shackleton in 1912 or 13:
"MEN WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. SMALL WAGES,
BITTER COLD, LONG MONTHS OF COMPLETE DARKNESS,
CONSTANT DANGER, SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL. HONOR AND
RECOGNITION IN CASE OF SUCCESS."
Although the BLOODHOUND's desert project is somewhat less risky than Shackleton's expedition, if you don't fancy back-breaking work in 40-degree heat you can still do your bit by popping along this weekend with PH to a tour of BLOODHOUND's technical centre to meet the car's driver (pilot?), Andy Green.
The tour costs 30 quid, and we still have 11 places left. If you fancy meeting the world's fastest man (and car), why not pop along? You can find out more about the BLOODHOUND tour and buy tickets by checking out our previous story here.