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Richard NobleLand speed record holder from 1983 to 1997, team leader of the car that set the current land speed record
Date of Birth: 06.03.1946
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Richard Noble: Scottish Entrepreneur and Land Speed Record Breaker
- Career and First Land Speed Record
- 'Thrust 2' and the Land Speed Record
- 'Thrust SSC' and Breaking the Sound Barrier
- 'Bloodhound SSC' and the 1,000 mph Goal
- Honors and Legacy
Richard Noble: Scottish Entrepreneur and Land Speed Record Breaker
Early Life and EducationRichard James Anthony Noble was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He attended Winchester College and became a qualified pilot.
Career and First Land Speed Record
A specialist in light aircraft, Noble turned his attention to land speed racing. He designed a jet-powered car named 'Thrust', inspired by seeing John Cobb's legendary racing boat 'Crusader' as a child. In 1975, he built his first jet-propelled car, 'Thrust 1', but it proved unsuccessful due to limited funds and an outdated jet engine.
'Thrust 2' and the Land Speed Record
Undeterred, Noble secured funding and built 'Thrust 2', featuring a more advanced jet engine and metal wheels instead of tires. In 1983, Noble set a new land speed record on the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, reaching 1019 km/h (633 mph). This record stood for 14 years.
'Thrust SSC' and Breaking the Sound Barrier
Determined to break the sound barrier, Noble assembled a team to develop 'Thrust SSC'. Equipped with two jet engines delivering 110,000 horsepower, the car was driven by British Royal Air Force pilot Andy Green. In October 1997, Green set a new record on the Black Rock Desert, reaching 1227.99 km/h (763 mph), exceeding the speed of sound in those conditions.
'Bloodhound SSC' and the 1,000 mph Goal
Today, Noble continues to pursue his goal of reaching 1,000 mph (1609 km/h) on land. In 2006, he gathered the team that created 'Thrust SSC' to design 'Bloodhound SSC'. This new car is scheduled to attempt a record-breaking run in 2016.
Honors and Legacy
Richard Noble, a recipient of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), has made significant contributions to land speed racing. His two land speed records and his innovative designs have earned him international recognition and solidified his legacy as a pioneering entrepreneur and engineer.
