Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2009 | Page 50

life

FEATURE

Pictured at Thorney Island on its first run.

Steaming
ahead!

Mike Horne - Front end body construction
and support crew

Mike Horne, aged 70 lives on the Isle of

(California time) at Edward’s Air Force

the previous official FIA record of 127mph

Wight, Hampshire and has been involved

Base, California: Charles Burnett III

set in 1906 by American, Fred Marriott,

on the steam car project for over 4 years

successfully broke the land speed record

driving a Stanley steamer at Daytona

making all the different body panels, he

for a steam powered car – which has

Beach.

also has his son, Chris, helping out.

stood for more than 100 years – achieving

In the past, Mike has also been involved
with other record breaking projects
including the original Thrust with Richard

As he was congratulated by his jubilant

an average speed of 139.843mph on two

crew, Charles Burnett III said: "It was

runs over a measured mile.

absolutely fantastic I enjoyed every

Driver Charles Burnett III piloted the

moment of it. We reached nearly 140mph

Noble and ThrustSSC with Andy Green.

car for both runs reaching a peak speed

on the first run before I applied the

Mike’s experience was put to good use as

of 136.103mph on the first run and

parachute. All systems worked perfectly,

part of the turn around team on Edward’s

151.085 mph on the second. The new

it was a really good run. The second run

Air Force Base.

international record, which is subject to

went even better and we clocked a speed

official confirmation by the FIA, breaks

in excess of 150 mph. The car really

On Tuesday August 25th 8.19am
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