History will repeat itself on Saturday 2 July and Sunday 3 July at Pendine Sands, Carmarthenshire, when Don Wales, grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell MBE, will attempt to set speed records in his car Bluebird.
In 1924, Malcolm Campbell achieved his first World Land Speed Record of 146.16mph at Pendine Sands. This begun a long history of record breaking by the Campbell family.
Don Wales, grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell MBE and nephew of Donald Campbell CBE, started his record-breaking career in 1998 when he broke the UK Land Speed Record for an electric car.
Wales subsequently raised the electric record to 137mph at Pendine Sands in 2000 and in 2009 he broke the world speed record for a steam car at 148mph.
He now plans a world land speed record attempt for an electric car in 2013, aiming for more than 500mph. As preparation for this, Wales and his team will conduct speed trials at Pendine Sands on the weekend of 2/3 July 2011 – with the additional aim of establishing new UK electric car records. In recognition of his family heritage, Wales' speed record cars are all named Bluebird.
When Malcolm Campbell broke records at Pendine Sands, he was helped considerably by local volunteers – including with accommodation and marshalling. Indeed, the record attempts would not have been possible without such generous help and support of the local community.
Don Wales is now appealing for similar support during the weekend of 2/3 July 2011. He says: "I have a team of up to 30 people requiring accommodation and feeding and volunteers are needed to help as course marshals and fodders (people who remove debris from the sands).
Without a principal sponsor as yet, the development of the car is taking all of what limited budget we have. I hope people will revive the spirit of the 1920s and volunteer to help."
If you would like to help continue the Bluebird heritage please get in touch with Rebecca Nicholls on Tel: 01452 260063, email: rebecca@bluebirdspeedrecords.com.
By Donald Stevens.
The development, construction and operation of the last wheel-driven land speed record-breaking car that the UK produced, and how the tragic demise of Donald Campbell precluded it from reaching its full potential. It is also the personal story of one of the design team, how he became involved, and his incredible experiences in doing so. With many previously unpublished photographs, drawings,
and illustrations, this is a unique account of a legendary feat of British engineering. More info.
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