USLSR on Track to Break the Land Speed Record

It's been about three months since we've heard from American engine manufacturer Cyclone and the US Land Steam Record Team (USLSR) and we were beginning to wonder if a glitch in Cyclone's revolutionary engine put an end to the project.

Thankfully, Cyclone came to life yesterday and announced the project is on track. The vehicle, which will be designed, built and driven by Chuk Williams, will be a 180HP and 860 ft/lbs of starting torque unit, and will take its shot at topping 200 mph and braking the land speed record for stem powered vehicles on the infamous Bonneville salt flats, at an yet announced date.

The project is supported by the Steam Automobile Club of America and benefits from the involvement of former engineers at NASA, Lockheed Martin and MIT.

In addition to the progress update, Cyclone announced fans can watch further progress on the Discovery Channel website, who decided to highlight the progress made by the two partners.

"We're thrilled to have the Discovery Channel shine a spotlight on our all-fuel capable, earth friendly automotive engine," Cyclone CEO and engine inventor Harry Schoell said in a statement. "Our goal from the beginning was to break the land speed record for steam vehicles with an engine that can ultimately be placed economically into everyday passenger cars."

The current land speed record was set by Team Inspiration of Great Britain, who drove their vehicle at speeds over 148mph in August 2009. The record is yet to be confirmed by the Federation Internationale d'Automobile.