Tuesday 1st June 2010

New World Record For Lawnmowers

Project Runningblade bags new Land Speed Record for Britain

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Don Wales and mower at Pendine Sands

Britain's Project Runningblade has successfully claimed a new world land speed record for lawnmowers, although the hoped for 100mph-plus didn't materialise.

On Sunday 23rd May, the Countax mower built for the campaign was driven to a record of 87.833mph which, while not as impressive as 'doing the ton', is still a pretty mean feat.

The record was set at Pendine Sands, scene of many previous LSR attempts. The mower was ridden/driven by Don Wales, nephew of Donald Campbell and grandson of Malcolm Campbell.

In support of the achievement, the National Motor Museum (which backed the project) has sent one of its most popular exhibits, the 1920 350hp Sunbeam to the Museum of Speed at Pendine Sands where it will be on display until the 20th June. The Sunbeam, the original Bluebird, was the first car to break 150 mph, a record that Sir Malcolm Campbell achieved on Pendine Sands in 1925.

Taking its place in the National Motor Museum is 'Babs' the car in which John Parry Thomas set a new world land speed record at Pendine Sands in 1927. Sadly, during an attempt to improve on his new record, he was killed when 'Babs' skidded and rolled over.

Project Runningblade is now on display in the National Motor Museum beside a collection of legendary world land speed record cars including Donald Campbell's Bluebird. It will remain in the museum when not required elsewhere for its 'victory tour' to various events around the country, raising funds and awareness for the two charities the Project has supported - Great Ormond Street Hospital and Wessex Heartbeat.

 

[Danny S]

i presume it still has the lawmower running gear etc? wonder what the engine size is ?

[P7ULG]

This could be the answer to F1's prays. We are told that the sport must become more relevant and it needs more overtaking. At the end of the day what could be greener than a lawn mower !!!!!!!!!

[Munter]

Danny S said:

i presume it still has the lawmower running gear etc? wonder what the engine size is ?

Yes to qualify it still has to be able to mow grass. (though I suspect they are allowed to take the blade off/disable it for the run..not sure). And I think the engine has to be the original+modifications. E.g. no bolting in a 1000bhp LSx V8

[R66STU]

hmm.. if the engine /spec can be changed anyone want to help me put an R6 / R1 engine in a lawnmower ? im willing to give it a go...

where can i find out the rules for this ?

[havoc]

I still think this would be faster...although they need to work on the cutting side of things:-

[UncappedTag]

havoc said:

I still think this would be faster...although they need to work on the cutting side of things:-

Agree

[soad]

Well done them. Top effort, chaps

[dinkel]

88 mph sitting on a lawnmower. I bet that takes some balls of steel.

http://gizmodo.com/220693/lawnmower-dragster-if-an...

[BOBBY G]

That chap should take his lawnmower and FAAAF!

[ManOpener]

BOBBY G said:

That chap should take his lawnmower and FAAAF!

Invite him to V-MAX next time they run it perhaps?

[JMo22]

Right, so the lawnmower world record is set on sand...makes perfect sense!

[Boycey2]

They look like Tiv Chimaera rims on the rear...?

[corporalsparrow]

Newsflash: Countax has just been sold to an American company.

[dan19evans]

added to christmas list

[qwick]

havoc said:

I still think this would be faster...although they need to work on the cutting side of things:-

The camouflage on that isn't very good, I can still see that it's a race car, anyone else?

[Simon Henly]

Cutting edge technology I'd say




Sorry, someone had to

[torchy6]

They've put this joke into a museum another parasite trading on family connections.

[Rich_W]

JMo22 said:

Right, so the lawnmower world record is set on sand...makes perfect sense!

AND

Has no blades underneath either. So how is this not just a crap go kart?

F for FAIL! I hope the Yanks get the record back to avoid any future embaressment!

[Munter]

Rich_W said:

JMo22 said:

Right, so the lawnmower world record is set on sand...makes perfect sense!

AND

Has no blades underneath either. So how is this not just a crap go kart?

F for FAIL! I hope the Yanks get the record back to avoid any future embaressment!

Am I missing something. A bunch of blokes decide to make a very fast lawn mower....probably in a drunken moment.

They then follow through on this and mess about in a few sheds and come up with a lawn mower that'll do over 80 mph.

Proper daft stuff messing about with motors and wheels. The sort of stuff PHers should encourage...no?

Is this PH or not!?

[bridgland]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Some gratuitous self promotion. Straight line on a flat bit of sand is one thing, but 50 MPH over a rutted field for 12 hours is another.



Who wants to sponsor us?

Edited by bridgland on Tuesday 1st June 20:44