Project Runningblade - The World's Fastest Lawnmower

Only 1 week to go!!!

2010-05-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

The Team are racing around at 100mph getting al the final preparations in place for the Record Attempt on 22/23rd May. We'll try to keep this Blog running, but we suggest you go to our website www.fastestlawnmower.com and click on LATEST NEWS to get just that. If you are planning to come along and support us, do read the Event Information on the website.

Please be aware that you'll be able to get next to the Pits and see the machine set off on each run, but you won't be able to see it while it is going for the record as it will be over a mile away down the beach and there is no access there or anywhere where you can overlook it.

Final Testing - on the Top Gear Track no less!

2010-05-15T04:29:00.001-07:00

The team recently met at the world famous Top Gear track and spent almost seven hours testing, honing, adjusting and tweaking. As ever, official figures are unfortunately not available, but judging from the smiles on the faces of the Team members by the end of the day, it wouldn’t be too difficult to surmise that the answers to all of these questions is a resounding “Yes!”

Latest Testing at Pendine - A Great Success!

2010-04-26T04:31:00.000-07:00

The Team were at Pendine Sands on Friday 23rd to test the final version of the machine in front of the world's media. We were not going out for speed although the machine was going in the high 60s but rather to check on stability and carry our measurements of the engine performance. Driver Don Wales said that he was more than happy with the machine's performance. Footage of the day is on Youtube. Pictures are on the website - go to Latest News.

Is Bob Cleveland Coming to the attempt?

2010-04-19T01:26:00.000-07:00

Should Bobby Go is the name of a huge campaign being mounted by Bob Cleveland, current world record holder to get sponsorship to come over to Pendine on the 22/23rd May. Take a look at their website and vote for him to come. Bob is really excited about this and Project Runningblade will extend a hearty welcome to him if he can make it.

Poster for 22/23rd May

2010-04-19T01:19:00.000-07:00

If you want to see the draft of the poster for the 22/23rd may record breaking weekend, it's on our website www.projectrunningblade.co.uk

Bob Cleveland, current US Record Holder sends us his best wishes

2010-04-17T01:22:00.000-07:00

See it on Youtube Here

Team Hotel - fully booked

2010-04-12T01:09:00.000-07:00

All 38 rooms of the Lamphey Court Hotel, the Team's base for the event on 22/23rd May are fully booked with Team members, VIPs and the Media.

More with The BBC

2010-03-18T13:58:00.000-07:00

19th March 2010. BBC South Today will be showing footage shot at Countax 's factory near Oxford (may only be shown in the Oxford area) - Friday about 6/6.30pm.

Some of the Team are going up to Countax Wednesday 24th for an update and filming with BBC South's Inside Out as well.

Take a look at our latest newsletter

2010-03-05T05:35:00.000-08:00

Grass Cuttings March 2010

The New Engine is fired-up for the first time!

2010-02-26T12:07:00.001-08:00

25th Feb 2010. Countax engineers watched by senior managers saw the finishing touches put to a new Kawasaki engine fitted to the Runningblade machine, and saw it fired up for the first time and engage the power to the wheels. It was a fantastic sight, and judging by the reaction from the development engineers (big grins all around) it certainly seems to be the right engine for the job. The new engine is the result of close cooperation between engineers at Countax and Kawasaki who have been working behind closed doors for a while now. All of this was being filmed for the Canadian Discovery Chanel - their second visit to Countax. The new engine, although much more powerful than the engine used on the prototype that was tested last year at Pendine, is still "legal" as it is currently fitted to lawnmowers.

The Big Meeting

2010-02-26T12:06:00.000-08:00

24th Feb 2010 - the team visit Pendine Sands for a meeting with officials from the County Council, Police MOD and others to discuss the detailed planning for the "Big day".

Record Breaking Date Set

2010-01-27T06:50:00.000-08:00

The date for the record breaking attempt is now 22-23 May 2010. Please tell your friends. More dates for testing etc will follow as soon as we have them firmed-up.

The Runningblade truck parked-up on the outskirts of Pendine

2010-01-25T06:50:00.000-08:00

Pictured during a meeting at the team HQ hotel on 25th Jan.

The Machine is back in Oxfordshire

2010-01-16T07:34:00.000-08:00

After being on display at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu over the Christmas and New Year period, the machine is now back with Countax in Oxfordshire. There, Countax engineers are carrying out further development work and trials.

The Prototype Mower Arrives At The National Motor Museum

2009-12-21T07:47:00.000-08:00

The Prototype Mower arrives at The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu for display to the public over theChristmas period. It is pictured here alongside that other classic of speed - a Ferrari F40.

Filming with The BBC and CBS at Countax

2009-12-15T21:20:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday crews from The BBC and CBS joined Don Wales and other members of the Runningblade Team at Countax's Oxfordshire R&D facility. Both teams were filming Don and the other team members as they discussed progress on the project, with reporters from both channels taking a "fly on the wall" approach as they gather material to make into programs about the record breaking attempt.

The Team being filmed by The Discovery Chanel at Countax R&D

2009-12-14T11:42:00.000-08:00

With interest in the Project now starting to emerge from the US and Canada, a team from The Discovery Chanel filmed at the Countax R&D department near Oxford last week. The BBC will be filming there in the next few days.

Stephen Vokins on The Garden Program on BBC Radio Kent

2009-12-10T12:17:00.000-08:00

Listen to the interview on the website. Latest News page.

Press Launch

2009-12-02T21:21:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 1st December was the day of the Press Launch held at The National Motor Museum. Among the press attending were The BBC who are planning to make a documentary of the project, the Times, Associated Press, Daily Express and many regional publications. That evening and the following day there was extensive coverage both localy and nationally.

Pendine Sands - The Tests

2009-11-01T09:38:00.000-08:00

The Team travel to Pendine Sands to test the machine with Driver Don Wales. A successful day that inspired the Team and took them one stage nearer to their goal. Pictures on the website.

Ralph Hosier Joins the project

2009-04-20T05:12:00.000-07:00

Great news - Project Bladerunner welcomes it's newest Team Member, Ralph Hosier. Ralph has been immersed in motor sport and engineering for many years and will be a huge asset to the project" said Team Principle Steve Vokins.

Ralph's details are on the website www.projectrunningblade.co.uk

First Team Meeting

2009-04-20T04:34:00.000-07:00

Friday 24th April sees the first face-to-face meeting of the whole Project Bladerunner Team. Up to then, all of the team had met with Steve or each other in 2's or 3's and of course email, but with so much of the project in place, this is the time for a full get-together.

Visit to Pendine Sands

2009-04-20T04:08:00.000-07:00

Saturday 18th was a big day for project Bladerunner when Team Principle Stephen Vokins and project Manager Jon Williets visited Pendine Sands - the scene of the new world record to-be.