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Automotive

US Team adopts Speed Demon for steam record attempt

By James Holloway
May 02, 2012
US Team adopts Speed Demon for steam record attempt
Team Steam USA's campaign to break the land speed record for steam-powered vehicles has received a shot in the arm, having been granted the use of construction molds from the Speed Demon streamliner (Photo: Business Wire)
Team Steam USA's campaign to break the land speed record for steam-powered vehicles has received a shot in the arm, having been granted the use of construction molds from the Speed Demon streamliner (Photo: Business Wire)
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Team Steam USA's campaign to break the land speed record for steam-powered vehicles has received a shot in the arm, having been granted the use of construction molds from the Speed Demon streamliner (Photo: Business Wire)
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Team Steam USA's campaign to break the land speed record for steam-powered vehicles has received a shot in the arm, having been granted the use of construction molds from the Speed Demon streamliner (Photo: Business Wire)

Team Steam USA's campaign to break the land speed record for steam-powered vehicles has received a shot in the arm, having been granted the use of construction molds from the 450-mph (724-km/h)-busting twin-turbo V8 engine-powered Speed Demon streamliner. George Poteet and Ronald Main of team Speed Demon will also collaborate with Team Steam USA in its record attempt.

It's hoped that the adoption of the aerodynamically-proven Speed Demon shell will help the Cyclone Engine-powered alternative break the current record of 148 mph (238 km/h), set in 2009 by the British Inspiration team.

The Cyclone Engine at the heart of the vehicle super-heats steam using heat generated from almost any fuel source, which is then piped into the engine's cylinders. We discussed the principle back in 2009 when Cyclone installed its first Waste Heat Engine, and also in 2001 when the US Land Steam Record Team (now rebranded Team Steam USA) first applied the technology in its ongoing endeavors to break the steam land speed record.

Team Steam USA hopes this latest development will allow it to smash the British team's record by reaching a speed of more than 200 mph (322 km/h).

Source: Team Steam USA

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AutomotiveSteam PowerRecord-breakingStreamlinerWorld's Fastest
2 comments
James Holloway
James writes about science and technology from his home in rural East Anglia. Whether it's the internet, nature, video games or AI, he pays particular heed to the flash points with culture, society and the planet.

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Edster
A Stanley Steamer set the world record for the fastest mile in an automobile (28.2 seconds) in 1906. This record was not broken by any automobile until 1911, although Glen Curtiss beat the record in 1907 with a V-8 powered motorcycle at 136 mph (219 km/h). The record for steam-powered automobiles was not broken until 2009. - Wikipedia
It's hoped that the adoption of the aerodynamically-proven Speed Demon shell will help the Cyclone Engine-powered alternative break the current record of 148 mph (238 km/h), set in 2009 by the British Inspiration team. - Gizmag
What's the hubbub Bub? A hundred years technology may result in a 200 mph speed record? It's not the steam, it's the engine that uses the steam. What's missing here?
jerryd
What is missing is a record, No?
The Cyclone is a cool engine using the uniflow method. It's light and powerful if high pressure steam is used. Since it's likely to a a lost steam system the whole thing is much lighter than a V8