A team of friends, who are all studying mechanical engineering at Queen’s University Belfast, and their families, are led by Sam Marsden, a seriously dyslexic but supremely talented and motivated 23-year-old engineering undergraduate. They set out for the Bonneville Salt Flats this summer where they will attempt to break a 48-year-old land speed record. (Editor’s Note: Bonneville Speed Week set for Aug. 8-14 has been cancelled again for the second year in a row).
The aim of Project Velocity is to design a full fairing motorcycle to take to Bonneville and set a new land speed record of well over 200mph in the 1000cc Streamline Class S-F beating the 184mph record set in 1967 by New Zealander Burt Munro. Munro’s record was subsequently dramatised by Hollywood in the film The World’s Fastest Indian featuring legendary Oscar-winning actor, Sir Anthony Hopkins.
Very few Brits have experienced the speed that Project Velocity is aiming to achieve, and they have the backing of Munro’s family; this rare challenge, that is taking all their engineering know-how, will feature in an upcoming Discovery Channel series, Meet The Superbrains. Project Velocity is now seeking financial support to help them secure the record and pay for key logistics and services as they take on the Bonneville Salt Flats in October.
