Claire Young

Cat Pumps fuel the new land speed record for a steam powered car

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Inspiration is 25 ft (7.6m) long, weighs just over three tons and uses a ton of water every 25 minutes. It takes eight minutes to get going and has enough fuel, compressed air and water to run for three minutes.
Inspiration is 25 ft (7.6m) long, weighs just over three tons and uses a ton of water every 25 minutes. It takes eight minutes to get going and has enough fuel, compressed air and water to run for three minutes.
Charles Burnett III piloted 'Inspiration'
Charles Burnett III piloted 'Inspiration'
Water is supplied to 'inspiration' from holding tanks located on two purpose-built ‘start’ and ‘turnaround’ rigs at a pressure of 40bar.
Water is supplied to 'inspiration' from holding tanks located on two purpose-built ‘start’ and ‘turnaround’ rigs at a pressure of 40bar.

In June 2009 World Pumps magazine covered the British Steam Car Teams attempt to break the world land speed record of 127 mph for a steam powered car. On 25th August, British Steam Car Team driver Charles Burnett III smashed the 1906 record with an average speed of 139.843 mph on two runs over a measured mile.

Recorded at the Edward Air Force Base in California, the steam powered car ‘Inspiration’ reached a peak speed of 136.103 mph on the first run and 151.085 mph on the second.

To read more on how Cat Pumps provided a critical solution to ensure continuous forward liquid flow for the smooth operation of ‘Inspiration’ read our world land speed feature.