Faster Than Sound Trivia Quiz

Answer: 15th October 1997

The first ever supersonic World Land Speed Record of 763.035mph was set on 15th October 1997 by Andy Green in ThrustSSC.
ThrustSSC has reached a highest speed through the measured mile to date of 766mph on Wednesday 15th October 1997, a Mach number of 1.020.

Answer: Super Sonic Car

ThrustSSC is the most powerful, most extraordinary car ever to be designed to attack the Land Speed Record, and as the SSC (SuperSonic Car) in the name indicates, it is also one of the first with genuine potential to breach the Sound Barrier.

Answer: Rolls-Royce Spey

Thrust SSC is powered by two Rolls-Royce Spey jet engines, as used in the RAF and Royal Navy's Phantom fighter-bomber aircraft. Testing of the car is performed using two Spey Mk202s, while record runs utilise a more powerful hybrid Mk202 - often called a Mk205 - version of the engine.

Answer: Rear Wheel Steering

Like most other elements of it's radical design, Thrust SSC's rear steer layout emanates from a couple of basic principles that have guided the overall design philosophy from it's earliest days. Firstly, the car has to be inherently safe.
The second major principle of the design, that of minimising cross-sectional area in order to reduce drag.

Answer: United Kingdom

The car was on display with Thrust2 at the Museum of British Road Transport in Coventry. It is unlikely that ThrustSSC will ever run again, having achieved the objective of the first ever Supersonic World Land Speed Record.