VAR sponsors jet-powered Bloodhound car ahead of land-speed record attempt

Microsoft and Cisco partner backs team attempting to break the land speed record

VAR Vohkus is sponsoring the jet-powered Bloodhound Super Sonic Car as it attempts to break the land speed record and hit 1,000mph.

The Southampton-based Cisco and Microsoft partner is an SME sponsor of the Bloodhound project, which last week made its first public outing and hit speeds of over 200mph.

The vehicle, which is currently powered by a Eurofighter jet engine, will ultimately be fitted with a rocket jet as the team behind it attempt to reach speeds of 1,000mph. The current land speed record stands at 763mph, which is faster than the speed of sound and was set in 1997.

"Our mantra is ‘technology edge, business edge', and Bloodhound involves cutting-edge technology, so that's the association and how we got involved," said Vohkus commercial director Loay Lawrence.

"It's absolutely awesome and it's basically looking into the future. As technology companies we're both looking ahead.

"[The benefit for us] is being associated with a leading-edge technology firm that is very similar to us, just in different areas."

Vohkus is an SME sponsor of Bloodhound, meaning its logo appears on the side of the vehicle.

SME sponsorship of the project is specifically aimed at giving smaller businesses the chance to be involved in Bloodhound's record attempt.

Other technology sponsors of the project include Cisco and Oracle, while Intel and managed hosting provider Pulsant are both listed as past sponsors on the Bloodhound website.

On Vohkus' sponsorship, Tony Parraman of Bloodhound, said: "This project is a global engineering adventure that will inspire the next generation.

"It involves cutting-edge technology and first-rate teamwork, and puts innovation at the heart of what will be a world first. These are qualities that are shared by everybody at Vohkus which was why we were delighted to welcome them on board."