The best of British engineering

Members of the Angelic Bulldog Project will be at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), Birdcage Walk, on Thursday 23 September to tell their inspirational story.

The team of 50 strong engineers will be attempting to smash the motorbike land speed record in either 2011 or 2012, but need to secure £100,000 for the project. They are attempting to build a bike that will break the 400mph barrier and return the land speed record on two wheels to the UK for the first time since 1937. The bike will be a streamliner and will have a supercharged engine of 700bhp.

The project will utilise British design, manufacturing, engineering, products and services – aiming to restore Britain's heritage of outstanding engineering achievements and inspire the next generation of engineers through its educational programmes. Chief Engineer, Jim Brown, leads the team's 12 mechanical engineers and is an active member of the IMechE, which shares the aims of the project in raising the profile of British engineering and renewing enthusiasm for the subject among young people.

The IMechE's Greater London Region Young Members Panel is organising the event in which project leader and driver, Gabriel Uttley, will discuss the project's latest developments and the current motorcycle land speed record. The team's engine specialist, Dan Dole, will also be available to talk about the engineering of the bike which will run on E85 race blend bio-ethanol. If it succeeds it will be travelling at a scorching nine seconds per mile!

Mr Brown, a chartered engineer, gave up his job at Siemens Gas Turbines to devote more time to the project and is the only full time member of staff. Located across the UK, the team has expertise from Formula 1, 24 Hour Le Mans, as well as other successful UK land speed record teams. This includes the IMechE sponsored Bloodhound supersonic car project, which will similarly attempt to break the world land speed record for a four wheeled vehicle in 2012.

He said: “The UK has a great track record in engineering which is so often ignored and we hope this inspirational project will help achieve global recognition for British engineering skills and talent. If we can do it we will be the first team to exceed 400mph on two wheels and reclaim the title which has been held by the Americans for the last 53 years.”

The free event is open to members of the public and will commence at 6.30pm at the IMechE headquarters, 1 Birdcage Walk, London.

IMechE
www.imeche.org