Castrol partners new Bluebird Land Speed Record bid

Castrol has partnered with the Bluebird Electric project, which is developing an electric car which Don Wales (grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell MBE) aims to drive to a new world land speed record of more than 500mph. The support for the project is part of Castrol’s commitment to work at the forefront of technological development in mobility.

Castrol has previously supported Don Wales and the brand also supported Sir Malcolm Campbell MBE and Donald Campbell CBE in their record speed bids. The company has a long history of world record breaking achievements including the current overall Land Speed Record.

For more than a hundred years, Castrol has been pioneering firsts across all mobility fields, from helping Barnes Wallis cross the Atlantic in an airship in the 1920’s to driving Francesco Agello to 440mph in 1933 and now working with Donald Wales on his quest for more land-speed records. The brand’s success has been underpinned by being a forward-thinking organisation which is always pushing the boundaries of technology and mobility.

Mike Johnson, CEO Castrol said; “Castrol’s partnership with the Bluebird Electric project is both inspired by our past heritage with the Campbell family, as well as it demonstrating our commitment and contribution to the future progression of mobility. We’re truly excited to be joining Donald on his journey to set new records in the UK and around the world.”

Announcing the sponsorship arrangement, Don Wales said: "I'm extremely pleased that Castrol is a major sponsor. They have been involved with so many records set by Bluebirds that it wouldn't seem right to attempt a record without them and their support. The land speed record has been broken an amazing 21 times by cars using Castrol lubricants and it’s only fitting that they are our partner in this form of vehicle.”

Wales has been maintaining the Campbell record-breaking tradition since establishing the UK Land Speed Record for an electric car in 1998. In 2009 he set the current World Land Speed Record for a steam car of 148mph.

The current Bluebird Electric is being used as a test and development vehicle to try different battery technologies and drive units as part of Wales' goal to set an electric record of more than 500mph in 2013. For this attempt a new car is to be built by Delta Motorsport, based at Silverstone, the company which produces the 150mph battery-powered Delta E-4 Coupé road car.

The speed trials on 2 and 3 July 2011 at Pendine Sands are part of the development programme. However, timekeepers and race officials will be present and the team hopes to establish new UK land speed records for an electric car. During the trials Wales also hopes to best his grandfather’s 146 mph land speed record set with a combustion engine on the same beach in 1924.