Wind and ice

Greenbird team plans next record

Following official confirmation of their new world land speed record for a wind-powered vehicle, the team behind Ecotricity Greenbird has confirmed it is to try for the wind-powered ice speed record this winter.

After detailed analysis of the data in the record attempt in March in the California desert, the North American Land Sailing Association (NALSA) confirmed the British team reached 126.2mph. Ecotricity Greenbird was piloted by engineer and land yacht sailor Richard Jenkins, who harnessed ideal racing wind conditions at Ivanpah Dry Lake to shave over 10 seconds off the previous record.

That record had been held for a decade by an American team whose vehicle, The Iron Duck, clocked a speed of 116mph with Bob Schumacher at the helm in March 1999.

This time, however, the British-made and designed craft completed its record-breaking run on the first attempt of the day, travelling at four times the speed of the wind.

“It all happened too easily and quickly in the end,” said Jenkins who admitted he had trouble with visibility as blowing dust clouded the windscreen.

“I am amazed how much space we had left and just how short the record run was. It was completed in 1.5 miles which is pretty amazing acceleration,” he added.

The run was not without its dangers as Richard was constantly aware of colliding with a nearby pipeline which could have blown his fragile “part aeroplane, part sailboat, part Formula One car” to pieces.

It is hoped that the British team’s environmentally friendly approach to land speed records could help pave the way for wind-powered vehicles on our roads in the future.

Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, the UK’s largest green electricity company, said: “Greenbird has made an awful lot of people think again about wind power and for me that was the reason to be involved. Greenbird breaks down the door for what’s coming next - the second generation wind powered car.”

The team’s next mission is to take the wind-powered ice speed record this winter. Attempts last year were hampered by bumps in the ice but they are hoping to exceed the current top speed of 84mph.

For more information on the team and their record attempts see www.greenbird.co.uk