Planned Bluebird land speed trials postponed

The planned Bluebird Electric land speed trials at Pendine Sands this weekend has been postponed.

The car in which Don Wales (grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell MBE) hoped to achieve a new land speed record has now been delayed as a vital bespoke component that was being manufactured won't be delivered in time for this weekend's speed trials.

While the delay of the part arriving only sets them back several days, the tidal conditions at Pendine coupled with the re-organising of the timing keepers, staff, permits etc has forced them to re-schedule for a later date, provisionally set for 13 & 14 August.

The Bluebird Electric is one of Europe's fastest electric vehicles.

Bluebird Electric Team gear up for new Land Speed Record

Records are set to be broken and history made the weekend of 2-3 July as Don Wales and the Bluebird Electric team endeavour to break the UK Land Speed Record on the 4-mile stretch of beach at Pendine Sands, in South Wales.

The speed trial is part of the preparations for an attempt in 2013 to break 500mph. It has been made possible thanis to the response from volunteers giving up their time to help marshal and assist the 30-strong Bluebird Electric team.

This is not the first time a Bluebird has set Land Speed records at Pendine. Don is following in a family tradition started by his grandfather, Sir Malcolm Campbell MBE and continued by his uncle, Donald Campbell CBE.

The runs start from 1.00pm on Saturday 2nd July and 2.00pm on Sunday 3rd July.

Supporters can receive the latest news by signing up on the website www.bluebirdspeedrecords.com. The team can also be followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bluebirdspeed, and on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Bluebird-Speed-Records/174745655870142.

Sir Malcom Compbell broke the speed record nine times in various Bluebird cars powered by both Napier and rolls Royce engines. Don Wales holds a World Land Speed Record, two American National Records and eight UK records.

Will the new speed cameras take motorists for a ride?

Just about now, the 50 new vans operating the privatised and much expanded speed camera system are beginning to flash motorists into penalty points, writes Brian Byrne.

And also, although it is strenuously denied that this is an important factor, they are likely to massively boost revenue from speeding fines.

The Australian state of Victoria is regularly the one trotted out here as the example of how strong enforcement of traffic regulations saves lives. Especially with the use of speed cameras.

But is that all just hype? We suggest looking at this report from Victorian broadcaster ACA. We make no comment, but it is food for thought.

Speed record anniversary

Yesterday was the 85th anniversary of the new world speed record set by Captain Malcolm Campbell of 150.766mph.

Campbell achieved the record at Pendine Sands in Wales in a 350hp Sunbeam car. The car is now in the British National Museum at Beaulieu.

The fastest mower cuts it in speed record

The Honour Motorsport-backed Project Runningblade has claimed a new landspeed record for the world’s fastest lawnmower at Pendine Sands in South Wales.

Driver, Don Wales steered the Kawasaki-powered Countax ride-on machine beyond the 87mph barrier for the first time, surpassing the previous top speed of 80.792 mph reached by Bob Cleveland on a home-built lawnmower in 2006 at Bonneville Flats, USA,

In line with regulations, the eight-time landspeed record holder cut grass outside Pendine’s Museum of Speed before beating the existing four-year old target on the military beach by nearly 6mph on Saturday (86.069).

The grandson of Sir Donald Campbell, who made his debut in 1924 on the same sands, then went on to set the new outright world landspeed record for a lawnmower at 87.833 mph, after successfully completing two individually timed runs within a one-hour period along the shores of Carmathen Bay in Sunday’s session.

'Abuse and distortion' of speed legislation

The 30km/h speed limits which are being introduced in Dublin City Centre from next Monday are 'an abuse and distortion' of the relevant legislation, according to AA Ireland's Conor Faughnan.

Speaking on Radio One's Today with Pat Kenny, he said the plan was intended only to 'frustrate' motorists, as part of an ideology based getting people out of their cars.

"There's a case to be made for such limits in residential areas," Conor Faughan added, "but these ones involve thoroughfares and make no sense."

The speed limit system was brought through Dublin City Council by Ballymun-based Labour councillor Andrew Montague.

Cllr Montague said they were 'only trying to make Dublin City Centre a more attractive place'.

Average speed cameras in UK

It's getting trickier to keep out of the speed trap, according to this piece in the Telegraph.

Speed cameras on the M50

Static speed cameras have been placed on the M50 along the roadworks between the Red Cow and the toll bridge because drivers were ignoring the 60km/h limit.

A spokesperson for the RSA said people are still speeding in the area despite the reduction in the speed limit from 120kph to 60 km/h in the area of the works.

The cameras will remain in place for the duration of the roadworks. BB.