Landspeed record to be attempted on locally made lawnmower

THE nephew of legendary racer, Sir Donald Campbell, is hoping to reach 100mph on a locally built lawnmover, when he attempts to break the current record at Pendine Sands in Camarthenshire in February next year.

Don Wales’ team, Project Runningblade, has has been working with Countax Ltd, based at Great Haseley, near Thame, on a high-spec machine which includes parts from three different Countax mowers.

The current record stands at 80mph, set by Bob Cleveland of the US, in 2006. According to Guinness World Records? rules, it must still be able to cut grass after all the modifications.

The team?s project manager, Stephen Vokins, is reported to have said (quote: Horticulture Week): “This started out as a daft idea that everyone laughed at but nobody is laughing now. Be under no illusions ? this is not a collection of blokes standing around in a shed wondering what to do until the pub opens. We have all sorts of experts on board: an aerodynamics expert, a fuel additives expert ? all sorts.”

The record breaking attempt will take place on February 27-28, 2010.

PHOTO: Don Wales on the Countax machine, at The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu where it was revealed on Tuesday (December 1, 2009)