Two first-year apprentices from Welshpool engineering specialist Dawson Shanahan Ltd (
www.dawson-shanahan.co.uk) have won a competition organised as part of the Bloodhound project.
Jack Cowell and Alex Baker will have the honour of having their names printed on the tail fin of the supersonic jet and rocket car that is to attempt to set a world land-speed record.
The competition, set up through the local college in Welshpool, tested the design abilities of entrants.
Ken Toop, who is in charge of apprentice training at Dawson Shanahan, said: “This is a wonderful achievement by Jack and Alex; they are delighted to have won the competition and been given the opportunity to be named on what is expected to soon be the world’s fastest car.
“With a shortage of engineers posing a serious risk to the future of our industry, we urgently need our young people to be motivated to enjoy studying subjects that lead to a career in engineering.
“Education projects such as Bloodhound that truly inspire youngsters are key to ensuring this.”
Meanwhile, the Bloodhound engineering team successfully completed the testing and validation of the car’s jet-fuel system at the Aerohub at Cornwall Airport in Newquay last month.
Chief engineer Mark Chapman said: “This test marks a milestone in the development of the supersonic car. It’s the culmination of many months of engineering, detailed planning and high-tech manufacturing, all made possible by the support of world-class sponsors, including Advanced Fuel Systems, Rolls-Royce and Flightline Support, which provided the fuel bowser.
“The team are also indebted to the Aerohub, Newquay and Cornwall Development Co for hosting the tests and the forthcoming development campaign.”