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A seabird specie, identified as Blue Bird, revisits a Welsh coastline, marking a century since it established a speed record there.

Historic Revival at Pendine Sands: The famed Blue Bird car, which captured global attention a century ago, returns to Pendine Sands, a stretch of coast in south-west Wales, to reclaim a legendary motoring milestone on July 21st, 1925, when Briton Malcolm Campbell broke the 150 mph barrier.

A seagull revisits a Welsh coastline a century after breaking a long-distance swimming record
A seagull revisits a Welsh coastline a century after breaking a long-distance swimming record

A seabird specie, identified as Blue Bird, revisits a Welsh coastline, marking a century since it established a speed record there.

## Celebrating a Centennial: Malcolm Campbell's Blue Bird Car Returns to Pendine Sands

This July, the Sunbeam 350hp Blue Bird car, a legendary vehicle driven by Sir Malcolm Campbell, will return to Pendine Sands in Wales, marking a century since it set a world land speed record. The car, which achieved a speed of 150.76 mph on July 21, 1925, will be the centrepiece of a static display and start-up ceremony on the same date in 2021 [1][2][3].

The Blue Bird car, now owned by the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, holds a special place in automotive history as the first vehicle to exceed 150 miles per hour. The occasion marks a significant milestone, commemorating the car's groundbreaking achievement and its enduring legacy.

## The Evolving Landscape of Land Speed Records

Since Malcolm Campbell's record-breaking run, the land speed record has been pushed to ever-greater heights. The current record stands at 763.035 mph, set by retired British Royal Air Force pilot Andy Green in 1997 with the Thrust SSC [4]. However, for over two decades, no new attempts have been officially recognized to surpass this speed.

## Pursuing the 1000mph Barrier

Despite the current stagnation, several ambitious projects are underway to push the boundaries even further. One such project is the Bloodhound SSC, a British initiative led by Richard Noble and Andy Green. Originally planned to attempt the record in South Africa, the project has faced significant financial and logistical challenges, leaving its future uncertain [5].

Another project, the North American Eagle, aims to break the 800 mph barrier, but has yet to achieve the coveted 1000 mph mark. Smaller-scale projects and attempts are also taking place worldwide, but none have yet succeeded in challenging the existing record or reaching the 1000 mph milestone.

## The Challenges Ahead

The pursuit of breaking the 1000 mph barrier is a daunting task, requiring substantial resources and technological advancements. The Bloodhound SSC, for instance, is seeking funds to harness the power of a jet engine and monopropellant rocket working together to propel the vehicle beyond 1000 mph [6]. Similarly, the Australian rocket-propelled 'Aussie Invader 5R' project also needs millions to realise its ambitions.

## The Enduring Allure of Speed

The allure of breaking speed records remains a driving force in the automotive and engineering communities. Malcolm Campbell's grandson, Don Wales, once stated that the 1925 record sparked a mania for speed. However, with modern sportscars easily surpassing the 150 mph mark on race tracks and autobahns, the desire to break the 1000 mph barrier may not hold the same appeal as it once did [7].

Despite the financial challenges and the waning interest, the pursuit of land speed records continues. The return of the Blue Bird car to Pendine Sands serves as a reminder of the past achievements and the ongoing ambition to push the boundaries of what is possible.

[1] https://www.pendinesands.co.uk/news/2021/01/bluebird-car-returns-to-pendine-sands [2] https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/bluebird-car-returning-pendine-sands-100th-anniversary-speed-record [3] https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/bluebird-car-returning-pendine-sands [4] https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/fastest-land-speed-record [5] https://www.bloodhoundssc.com/ [6] https://www.bloodhoundssc.com/faqs [7] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-37013242

The Blue Bird car's return to Pendine Sands signifies a continuation of the excitement and pursuit in the sports of breaking land speed records. Despite the challenges, projects like the Bloodhound SSC and the North American Eagle persist in their pursuit of the 1000mph barrier, maintaining the spirit of speed and innovation that characterized Malcolm Campbell's legendary run.

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