Land speed record attempt halted

Winds and an electrical fault put an end to two earlier attempts

A two-man British team is set to make a third attempt at the "official" world land speed record for an electric car, at a test track in Nevada.

Car designer Colin Fallows hopes his torpedo-shaped ABB e=motion car will smash the current record, set in 1999 and which stands at 245mph.

Mr Fallowes, from Northampton, believes the car will take 1 minute 42 seconds to accelerate from 0mph to 300mph.

Two previous attempts were abandoned due to winds and electrical problems.

The bright orange, 10m-long (32ft) ABB e=motion car, powered by variable speed drives and two 37kW motors, will be driven by ex-pilot Mark Newby from Oxfordshire.

The official record - as recognised by world motorsport's governing body, the FIA - of 394km/h (245mph) was set by the US White Lightning vehicle in 1999, but e=motion also aims to go through the 483km/h (300mph) mark.

Attempts frustrated

Thursday's first attempt was frustrated because auxiliary batteries for the car's electronic controls lost their full charge.

Strong cross winds which could have knocked the car off course whipped up while the batteries were being recharged, making the team wait a further day.

The team will now prepare for a final attempt at the closed-off highway it is using on Saturday.

A streetcar racing team is due to use the highway on Sunday, and the British team says it may not be able to afford to extend its stay.

The record attempt will be monitored and verified by FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) officials.

An Ohio University team has already averaged just under 315mph across two runs, but the Buckeye Bullet mark was not set with official FIA observers present. It is, however, recognised by the SCTA and BNI (Southern California Timing Association and Bonneville Nationals Inc).