Next steps
With a considerable number of objectives already achieved, the next major goal of the Quicksilver project is to commence the first waterborne trials. These trials will take place next year, at a location yet to be decided, with the primary intention of proving the craft's planing capability and collecting test data. The ultimate aim is to make a record challenge on Coniston Water, in the Lake District in north-west England, subject to gaining the necessary approvals, within the January-March 2010 timeframe.
From the outset, the Quicksilver project has been research-led. The original craft concept was the work of Ken Norris - the only man in history to have designed both the world's fastest car and the world's fastest boat (in partnership with his brother Lewis in the 1950s and '60s, Ken designed Donald Campbell's famous Bluebirds). That initial Quicksilver concept has since evolved into what is seen today, and is the work of a team of specialists rather than one single individual. The most significant step over the past three years was the decision to move the engine further forward to improve overall performance, which in turn necessitated resiting the sponsons (floats) from the rear of the craft to the front in order to maintain low-speed bouyancy and high-speed stability.
Construction of the main hull structure has now recommenced after a lengthy delay while these design changes were implemented. Manufacture of the two engine-mounting hoops, which add rigidity to the hull as well as bearing the engine, has begun and one hoop was delivered at the end of April.
Meanwhile, development work is ongoing and centres on further testing of scale models in the windtunnel and tests of a jet-propelled, free-running, radio-controlled model on water, augmented by computer calculations and simulations. The aim is to refine various elements of the revised design and finalise them.
Later this year, more work will be done to complete Quicksilver's on-board systems, under the overall direction of Dr. John Challans. Then, the specification of the craft's hull and sponsons will be upgraded so that the first trials on water can begin. In this initial waterborne form, the craft will be known as Quicksilver Dash 1.
Over time, the craft will be upgraded to facilitate ever-higher speeds.
Quicksilver will be driven by Nigel Macknight, the man whose enthusiasm started the project. He heads Quicksilver (WSR) Ltd., the company formed in 1991 to manage the venture. Nigel has devoted almost all of his professional life to engineering, particularly within the aerospace and motorsport spheres. He raced cars and karts for seven years and has authored hundreds of magazine articles and ten books with subjects ranging from the Space Shuttle to Formula 1 racing cars and the Tomahawk cruise missile, participated in many TV and radio broadcasts, and undertaken nearly 200 public-speaking engagements.
With his well-developed communication skills, Nigel offers unique insights into life at the sharp end of a World Water Speed Record campaign.
Some key information, in summary ...
Extensive media coverage has been gained already, including full-page features in the Sunday Times, Daily Mail, Daily Express and Daily Star Sunday, an interview feature on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast, and coverage in documentaries shown on Discovery Channel, The History Channel, BBC2, BBC3 and BBC4.
Seven Technical Partners are providing approximately £1million sponsorship in cash and kind. In addition, 26 Technical Associates are providing approximately £0.5 million sponsorship in cash and kind.
Over £350,000 cash has been injected by sponsors, supporters and shareholders to date.
Only 20% of the signage area on Quicksilver is currently committed. The remaining 80% is still available for future sponsorships, to be negotiated.
Further proof-of-concept work is required to validate design changes initiated in the spring of 2005 to improve safety margins, and thus performance. This additional work is currently underway, supported primarily by computer simulations and tests of scale models. Once this additional proof-of-concept phase is completed, detailed design work will recommence, in parallel with the recommencement of construction work, which originally began in January 2001.
Quicksilver is powered by a single Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan. This engine develops 25,000 horsepower - more than an entire grid of Formula 1 racing cars at full throttle. The project has three engines in working order, five in inventory (two are retained as spares sources), plus one trailer-type auxiliary power unit (APU) for engine starting.
The Quicksilver project has prestigious headquarters at Nottingham East Midlands Airport, just one mile from the M1 motorway, between Nottingham, Derby and Leicester.
As well as this official website, which is updated often, there are two official Quicksilver supporters' clubs and an official merchandise range branded SilverWear.