The need for the speed...of sound

GOING for the record: Tony Syddall (second from right) discusses the Bloodhound project with MetConnect colleagues (left to right) Stephanie Dibrow, Chris Gould and Nick Rush

AN Oldham company is heavily involved in the attempt by the Bloodhound project to raise the land speed record to more than 1,000mph.

Bloodhound is based in Bristol and headed by Richard Noble - who set the land speed record at 633mph in Thrust 11 in 1983 and was project director of Thrust SSC in 1997, when RAF fighter pilot Andy Green raised the record to 763mph.

The team is aiming for more than 1,000mph at mudflats in Hakskeenpan, South Africa, after test runs in July, August or September next year.

Tony and Natalie Sydall, who own MetConnect and Merkle (UK) Ltd, both in Tweedale Way, Hollinwood, will be travelling with the team for the record attempt.

Managing director Tony said: “MetConnect is the project’s only product sponsor of welding consumables and Merkle (UK) Ltd is the only product sponsor of welding machinery. We are also providing technical support to the Bloodhound welding team.”

His business, which has had Ministry of Defence contracts for years, was recommended to the Bloodhound Project by the MoD.

Weighing more than seven tonnes with engines capable of more than 135,000hp, Bloodhound is a mix of car and aircraft technology. It’s record attempt driver will again be Andy Green. The engine produces more than six times the power of all the Formula 1 cars on a starting grid put together.

“MetConnect technicians regularly travel to Bristol to advise on welding techniques as the tolerances are incredibly demanding,” added Tony.

At top speed, Bloodhound SSC travels the length of four and a half football pitches in a second and is faster than a bullet fired from a Magnum .357 gun.

The track length is 12 miles and as Tony explained: “Getting to speeds over 1,000mph is relatively straightforward. Slowing down is the problem...”