Monday 22nd November 2010

BLOODHOUND Calls For Rock-Pickers

No, not pop-pickers; this is a call to do your bit and clear the track for a 1000mph car

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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.

[Fleckers]

I am shocked they have not designed a device to sweep the desert and pick up anything lager than XXmm in size.

Still they could always engage the local dole office and ask for people

[j_s14a]

I'd be tempted if it was all expenses paid Don't really fancy splashing my hard earned on a trip to Africa to pick rocks up for weeks. Unless i'm allowed a turn in the Bloodhound...

[CampDavid]

I think thy want you to pay for the flight though. I'd do it if I had the time spare

[soad]

Too far away. If i was a local (with some time to spare), might just pick up one of those buckets, spades, wheelbarrows, brooms or rakes.

Sounds like 8hrs of damn hard labour. But- some would pay good money for such a workout?!

[DJC]

I once helped build a golf course in 40degree heat. Fairways and greens need to be rock picked.

It remains to this day my most detested work.

[steviegunn]

Fleckers said:

I am shocked they have not designed a device to sweep the desert and pick up anything lager than XXmm in size.

Still they could always engage the local dole office and ask for people

A salt flat Zamboni, Dragon's den anyone?

[BoRED S2upid]

At least it will be warmer than this country. Wheres Dyson when you need him? he would whip up a stone sucker in seconds.

[jp-speed-triple]

Is the V8 in the picture the starter motor?

[biggrim]

Is it not the fuel pump?

[Animal]

jp-speed-triple said:

Is the V8 in the picture the starter motor?

That's the V12 auxiliary power unit

[SimonV8ster]

So if you have to pay for your own flights where do you stay ? Do they supply porridge for breakfast ?

[filski666]

I was going to do this at Black Rock for Thrust SSC but my university exams got in the way - would have been awesome to be there, see the car run, feel the sonic boom

I'd happily do it for Bloodhound, but couldn't afford the time off work, flights etc

[BoRED S2upid]

biggrim said:

Is it not the fuel pump?

They use a Cosworth F1 engine to pump fuel.

[thinfourth2]

BoRED S2upid said:

biggrim said:

Is it not the fuel pump?

They use a Cosworth F1 engine to pump fuel.

If it was used to pump cold beer to the rock pickers i'd be at the airport

[annodomini2]

BoRED S2upid said:

biggrim said:

Is it not the fuel pump?

They use a Cosworth F1 engine to pump fuel.

It's a 4.5l V12 see animals linky

[adz13091982]

It's nice to see in age of cutbacks and penny pinching that a project like this firmly alive!
I wish them luck!

[fatboy18]

What about a PH Sunday service run down there And get that V12 fired up to pump Beer


Would we be back in time for Sunday evening Dinner? I dont want to miss out on my Roast Dinner

Edited by fatboy18 on Monday 22 November 13:50

[4x4disco]

1000mph, Lets see them try and car jack that

[Beyond Rational]

Judging by the size of the stones in that barrow, why don't they just talk to a Farmer and look for a 21st century solution to the problem, kind of like an engineer would...

They already have one of these;



Just need to add one of these:

[SystemParanoia]

annd one of these after that thing has torn the surface to shreds!!