Andy Green on visit to South Africa – Bloodhound SSC

The Royal Air Force Commander, Andrew Green is currently on a visit to South Africa to promote the Bloodhound land speed record project. On 14 November 2011 an event was held at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre – Newtown, Johannesburg.

All present were given a brief overview of the John Orr Lecture as well as the Association of the South African Institute involvement in land speed record attempts and its impact on mechanical engineering.

Andrew Green outlined the complex science and technology behind the extraordinary Bloodhound SSC and the reasons for selecting Hakskeenpan as the preferred track as well as the captivating story of how the current world land speed record was set in 1997.

Mr Dave Rowley has been recently appointed as the South African Bloodhound Education Director who briefly outlined the education programme for South Africa.

Premier Hazel Jenkins provided an overview of the Northern Cape’s involvement in the Bloodhound project, the opportunities it afforded the province as a catalyst to the establishment of a science orientated university in the Northern Cape and the potential tourism opportunities.

The Bloodhound project is generating large interest in the science and technology arena.  Andrew Green is also planning a visit to the Northern Cape later this week, in particular the site for the land speed record, which is Hakskeenpan.