Bradford College

World Land Speed Project Launches Automotive Centre

Bradford College has launched its new state-of-the-art automotive centre on Bowling Back Lane in Bradford, with a visit from the who is attempting to break the World Land Speed Record.

The BLOODHOUND SSC (Super Sonic Car) Project is Britain’s latest attempt to smash the current record set in 1997 of 763.035mph, with a car capable of 1000mph. As the actual vehicle is over 15 metres long, a model replica of the vehicle was brought along to the launch by the Project Team.

Experts from the BLOODHOUND Project, which is supported by Protocol National, talked to Bradford College students about inspirational opportunities in Engineering and were on hand for expert advice to Level 3 Motor Vehicle Studies students who, for the past 8 weeks have been building a kit car which they hope to sell on at the end of the academic year.  The kit car, a top of the range ZERO PLUS kit, was purchased from Great British Sports Cars Ltd in Newark. The kit was purchased with the financial backing of the Bradford Enterprise Academy.

The launch of the new Motor Vehicles Studies venue was opened by Michele Sutton, Bradford College Principal and Chief Executive. Also in attendance was Jonathan Ellis, Director of the BLOODHOUND Ambassador Programme and David Beynon, Bloodhound Project Business Development Manager who chatted to students about their pioneering work on the exciting World Land Speed Record attempt and the mechanics behinds the vehicle they hope to achieve this with. 

Bradford College’s new motor vehicle studies venue on Bowling Back Lane in Bradford opened its doors to students this academic year. It houses massive workshops which can hold up to 12 cars, an engine room, fitting area, the kit car workshop, classrooms, a canteen and social areas. All equipment used within the facility is exactly the same as found in working environments to prepare students for seamless progression into employment.
 
Colin Dennison, Bradford College Curriculum Team Leader for Automotive Engineering, Fabrication and Welding said: “The excellent facilities and equipment at the new premises are extremely rare in Further Education (FE) learning environments, particularly given the current financial climate. The kit car purchase and Bloodhound visit affords the students fantastic opportunities and raises the profile of STEM subjects.”

The presence of BLOODHOUND SSC at Bradford College was made possible by Protocol National, a sponsor of The BLOODHOUND Project and its official FE Partner. As the largest provider of outsourced recruitment services to the FE sector, Chief Executive Philip Harrison said “Protocol National is proud to be supporting the project as it attempts to break the World Land Speed Record and reach over 1,000 mph. It’s a journey that engages learners and inspires a generation to pursue the STEM subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.”