The world’s fastest Kiwi

A full-scale replica of the Jetblack concept car was displayed at The Cloud during the Rugby World cup.

IRL is the first technology and research partner for Jetblack™, a project led by entrepreneur Richard Nowland to build a turbojet-propelled car that can go faster than the current record holder, Thrust SSC, which reached a speed of 763 mph (1228 kph) in Nevada, USA, in 1997.

A full-scale replica of the concept car was unveiled at a function co-hosted by IRL in The Cloud on Auckland’s waterfront during the Rugby World Cup.

With the shape of the vehicle largely settled, attention is turning to the complex detail of its inner workings and, says Nowland, that’s where IRL’s help becomes significant.

“We wanted IRL on board because its staff have vast expertise in a large number of science and engineering areas that we need. We’re using them for the high-value and high-end work, some of the really challenging problems.”

Design and modelling are a key part of IRL’s input says Gavin Mitchell, General Manager of Industry Engagement.

“To achieve the speeds needed, Jetblack has to be light but also very strong and those two things are typically at opposite ends of the spectrum.”

One of IRL’s tasks is scoping the preliminary design of the car’s control system, made up of a myriad of sensors giving feedback on things like air and wheel speed, cross-wind and aerodynamics and the central ‘brain‘ that co-ordinates the operation.

Sophisticated software is being considered to create a model-based design that will allow IRL to test the control system and run 'what if' scenarios that would be too dangerous to test in reality.

Wheel design is another focus, with IRL staff in Auckland carrying out a finite element analysis to determine what might happen to the vehicle’s wheels at extreme speeds.

“At speeds of more than 1000 mph (1609 kph) the wheels are spinning so fast that the inertial forces could exceed the yield strength of the material, causing the wheels to deform excessively or even break apart,” IRL research scientist Bryan Smith says.

Dr Smith says the initial focus is on using advanced aluminium alloys but changing their geometry to minimise internal stresses in the wheel. “If that doesn’t work, we will have to look at novel, composite materials that might be able to do the job.”

Mitchell says the benefits of IRL being part of the project are two-fold.

“Helping to create Jetblack is a huge challenge that will push our boundaries in certain research areas.
“We also see it as a brilliant showcase of New Zealand technology. Everything in the car will be cutting edge and brought together in a uniquely Kiwi environment.”

Nowland also sees Jetblack as a vehicle for bringing New Zealand researchers and engineering businesses closer together.

“We span the whole process from concept through to actually building and using the car and will be engaging Kiwi companies every step of the way. That will help strengthen networks and hopefully lead to other projects.”