Supersonic ‘Superformance’ Inspires
This week, RGS Worcester was fortunate to welcome two accomplished individuals, Jeremy Davey and Glynne Bowsher, to lead a workshop and Careers seminar. The workshop was held for Year Ten Engineers in the Lecture Theatre, while the Careers Seminar focused on Careers in IT and was open to all pupils.
Jeremy Davey is a distinguished name in the tech industry, having previously worked for Microsoft. His experience and expertise in the field of IT provided students with valuable insights and guidance on pursuing a career in this rapidly growing industry.
Glynne Bowsher, on the other hand, is known for his remarkable achievements in the field of automotive engineering. In 1997, both Glynne and Jeremy were part of the team that set the land speed record in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA, a feat that is still awe-inspiring to this day.
On 15 October 1997, Thrust SSC (SuperSonicCar), a car designed and built by a team including Bowsher and Davey, was timed at 759.333 miles per hour, which is Mach 1.015. A second run was successfully made within the hour, at 766.609 miles per hour. After verifying the timing equipment, the USAC officials granted the team a new world land speed record. The average speed between the two runs was 763.035 miles per hour, which is Mach 1.020, confirming that Thrust SSC became the first land vehicle to officially break the sound barrier.
This remarkable achievement was made possible by the hard work and dedication of the team behind Thrust SSC, including Bowsher and Davey. It serves as a testament to what can be accomplished when individuals work together towards a common goal.
During the seminar, Bowsher and Davey shared their experiences and insights with students, highlighting the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and passion in achieving success. The seminar served as an inspiration for students to pursue their dreams and work towards their goals.
Upon reaching the goal of setting a supersonic land speed record, Thrust SSC was officially retired. The car is now on display in the Coventry Transport Museum, where it continues to inspire future generations of engineers and scientists.
We are grateful to Jeremy Davey and Glynne Bowsher for sharing their expertise and experiences with us. Their visit was a great opportunity for students to gain valuable insights into the fields of IT and Engineering, and to be inspired by their achievements.