Changeable challenging weather…
The remaining water on the lake surface is causing quite serious concern. Although probably only 30% of the lake surface is covered, it blows around depending on the wind direction. Last night we received the first signs of wind approaching with a cold shift and a southerly wind at about 15 mph, gusting 20.
I awoke to find the area that had been wet yesterday was now dry, but the larger body of the lake that was dry, was now wet as lots of water has obviously blown up from the south end of the lake. With such a large area (10 miles by 6 miles) it is impossible to survey the entire area and know how much of the surface is covered, and of that area, how deep the water is.
The Greenbird uses wide slick tyres to try to achieve maximum grip, and although a little surface moisture does not matter too much, surface water will be very bad, loosing traction and would cause aquaplaning if hit at speed. We can use ‘wet’ tyres with tread, but this will not yield the maximum speed.
Only time will tell how quickly the water evaporates, but right now it does not look great to be dry within this 3 week window. The standby period can be extended, but as spring develops, the probability of big winds after the 10th September decreases.
However, we will do our very best to find a useable, dry patch, when the wind looks good.
Good Luck guys!
Anything that promotes alternative power sources is a worthy cause!
Hope it all comes together for you.
C
Comment by Chris Lisle — August 20, 2008 @ 10:13 am
Blimey! Nothing has been easy for you guys has it! Nothing like a movable flood in the lake to keep the pressure on after everything else. Good luck, I’ll be rooting for you back in rain drenched Northumberland – You can do this!!
Comment by Angus Stockwell — August 20, 2008 @ 11:31 am
Excellent! Even in the heart of the petrolheaded beast in Coventry there are people rooting for you.
Comment by Jonathan Holt — August 20, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
Good Luck! We are all rooting for you ‘May the wind be with you and full steam ahead’ from the British Steam Car Team.
Comment by Don Wales — August 20, 2008 @ 3:53 pm
I have just watched the British sailors winning their 4th gold medal in the Olympics. You deserve for it to be your turn next.
Bon courage
Comment by Martin Priest — August 21, 2008 @ 11:07 am
Richard,
I have been following your progress since 1999. You have had much bad luck with the weather over the years. I’m hoping all your past disappointments will be a distant memory within a few weeks! A 127 mph pass is in the cards!
Good luck.
Peter. Vancouver, Canada.
Comment by Peter Phillips — August 22, 2008 @ 10:00 pm
Very best of luck
Take Care Dave
Comment by David Covell — August 24, 2008 @ 12:47 pm
Hi all, Richard Jenkins here with some thanks!
@Don Wales
Thank you Don, we are doing our best, but we are a little more weather dependent than you guys! Wishing you the very best of luck with your steam car challenge. What’s your current status with the project? Maybe we could arrange a head to head one day, steam versus wind!!
@Peter Phillips
Hi Peter, thanks for your (and the many other Windjet supporters) support over the years, it has been very much appreciated. I am still doing my best to get this one in the bag, and much closer than before, I hope you would agree! I don’t see it as bad luck, just an indication of how hard this record is. But I am confident everything will come together shortly. There is nothing that persistence will not overcome!
Comment by Richard — August 27, 2008 @ 9:28 am