A team of British engineers is pushing the boundaries of speed with the “Bluebird Aero,” a jet-powered soapbox racer designed to break the 100 mph record. This isn’t just about speed; it’s a revival of the spirit that drove Sir Malcolm and Donald Campbell to legendary land and water speed records in the mid-20th century.
Engineering a Pocket Rocket
The Aero weighs a mere 47 kg (including fuel) and is powered by a single-stage gas turbine jet engine from German company JetCat, originally designed for high-performance model aircraft. The turbine generates 17 kg of thrust at 123,000 rpm, producing an exit velocity of 700 mph – and a deafening roar. The project is led by Russell Annison, who previously worked on the Bloodhound land speed record attempt, along with Matt Sadler (CAD and driving) and Adam Rogers (brakes).
From Wind Tunnel to Record Breaker
The Aero’s design draws heavily from Lola’s 2013 gravity racer created for the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The team leveraged Lola’s carbonfiber/alloy-honeycomb tub, bespoke running gear, and wind-tunnel-optimized body (achieving a drag coefficient of just 0.22) to create an exceptionally streamlined vehicle. This focus on aerodynamics is critical; the Aero’s efficiency is so high it continued accelerating after the jet engine was shut off during a 55 mph record run in May 2024.
Pushing Toward 100 MPH
The team believes the Aero already has enough power to exceed 100 mph. Recent upgrades, including 3D-printed dive planes for improved braking stability, have brought them closer to their goal. The biggest remaining hurdles are maintaining stability at extreme speeds and finding tires capable of handling the stress. Current Schwalbe bicycle tires are already at their limit, necessitating a search for more durable rubber.
The Aero is deceptively complex under the hood: disc brakes feature water-spray cooling, the fuel tank is custom-welded aluminum, and the low-pressure fuel system minimizes fire risk. This project isn’t just about raw speed; it’s a testament to precision micro-engineering.
The Bluebird Aero represents a bold attempt to redefine what’s possible in land speed racing, proving that innovation doesn’t always require massive budgets or conventional designs. The quest to reach 100 mph highlights the enduring appeal of pushing boundaries, even in the most unconventional of vehicles.
