The British Steam Car Challenge

Mr. Bill Rich has long been an enthusiast of steam powered vehicles. In 1997, he had a discussion with Dr. Neil Richardson at the University of Southampton about the fact that the longest standing Land Speed Record was set in 1906. A Stanley Steamer driven by factory man Fred Marriott managed to get to 127.659 and wouldn’t it be interesting to create a steam powered vehicle that could exceed 170 MPH?

Dr Richardson was then advising some graduate students looking for a thesis subject. He suggested Mr. Rich’s concept and the graduate students had their project.

The students developed a vehicle that would, in theory, set a new record. They devised the shape and general concept of the project including the amount of power required to push that shape to the 170 MPH mark.

At the conclusion of the project, Dr. Richardson suggested to Lord Montagu that the project would make an interesting addition to the collection at Beaulieu. Lord Montagu pulled together an assortment of personalities and the project began to take on a life of its own.

In 1999, the British Steam Car Challenge was launched with the twofold aim of breaking the land speed record for steam powered vehicles as well as creating some excitement in the arena of alternate fuels. It is hoped that the project will help the trend toward more fuel efficient and cleaner burning vehicles for the future of transportation. 

The project was officially kicked off in June of 1999 with a luncheon hosting members of the team, sponsors and distinguished guests including Lord Montagu of Beaulieu as the patron of the project. The car, named Inspiration after the effect we hope it will have, is to be on loan to the National Motor Museum Trust at Beaulieu after the 170 MPH barrier has been broken.

The most enduring part of the project, however, is the ongoing education of students and the public after the Land Speed Record has been set. What we have accomplished with this vehicle is an integrated approach to a land speed record. An innovative boiler design, high performance turbine, aerodynamically slippery shape and clean burning fuel all combine to make this vehicle an extremely technologically and ecologically advanced project. But the overall aim of the project is to promote education and awareness of clean burning fuels and ecologically sound technologies to young engineers all over Britain.

(c) 1999-2008, British Steam Car Challenge