Steam Powered Car to Hit 200MPH

This is the Inspiration, the British steam powered car that is attempting to take the British and World land speed records (for steam vehicles). The car is constructed on a tubular steel chassis and holds four boilers which output a massive four megawatts. These force steam into the Curtis turbine engine which will produce 300bhp, enough to push the car to 200mph (in theory).

The team behind the Inspiration and the British Steam Car challenge hopes to break the current, 101 year old record of 127.659mph (1906). American Bob Barber hit 145.607mph in 1985 but it was a single run; the world record rules stipulate an average taken over two runs in opposite directions.

The attempt is planned to take place in South Africa this month, then the team will head out to the US to break the record there. Drivers Charles Burnett III (ex dragster racer) and Annette Getty shouldn't have a problem setting a record on home ground. Britain has no official record, so just by turning up they win.