On this day October 4 1983, British driver Richard Noble set a new land speed record at the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, achieving an astonishing speed of 633.468 miles per hour. Driving his jet powered vehicle, Thrust2, Noble broke the previous record set by Gary Gabelich in 1970, marking a significant milestone in the history of high speed engineering and motorsport.
The Thrust2 was powered by a Rolls Royce Avon jet engine and designed specifically to push the limits of land speed. Noble and his team faced numerous technical challenges during the development and testing phases, but their determination paid off with a record breaking run that captured global attention.
This achievement not only demonstrated the power of advanced engineering and aerodynamic design but also reignited interest in land speed racing around the world. Noble’s record stood until 1997, when it was surpassed by Andy Green in the ThrustSSC.
80s insight: Richard Noble’s record breaking run reflected the ambitious spirit of the 1980s, when engineering breakthroughs and bold innovation pushed the boundaries of what was possible.
The Thrust2 was powered by a Rolls Royce Avon jet engine and designed specifically to push the limits of land speed. Noble and his team faced numerous technical challenges during the development and testing phases, but their determination paid off with a record breaking run that captured global attention.
This achievement not only demonstrated the power of advanced engineering and aerodynamic design but also reignited interest in land speed racing around the world. Noble’s record stood until 1997, when it was surpassed by Andy Green in the ThrustSSC.
80s insight: Richard Noble’s record breaking run reflected the ambitious spirit of the 1980s, when engineering breakthroughs and bold innovation pushed the boundaries of what was possible.
