News Archive - May, 2002

Friday, 31st May 2002 - Elmers Court Provide Training Facilities

Now that summer is here and the team begin to prepare in earnest for the water record, concerted efforts are being made to ensure that the team members are in peak physical condition to be able to cope with the demands of the record challenge. This has been made possible by the projects latest supporter; Elmers Court Country Club.

Providing the team with use of the leisure club during the project, the team are thrilled that Elmers Court is supporting the Windjet Project.

"It is not just the condition of the craft that is important," said Richard Jenkins, Project Director and Pilot, "the physical demands on myself and the team are considerable, not only in terms of the challenge runs themselves but including construction and transport of the vehicles. The support given by Elmers Court will ensure that the team are in top physical shape when we begin breaking records!".

Elmers Court in Lymington, part of the MacDonald Hotel Group, offers both hotel facilities and a top class leisure club to guests. This includes an indoor and outdoor pool, a newly refurbished gym, tennis and squash courts as well as a beauty salon. Based in a Tudor-gabled Manor House dating back to the 1820's, the luxurious club is perfectly situated on the edge of the New Forest overlooking the Lymington river with views out to the Isle of Wight.

Darren Spreadbury, Elmers Court Leisure Club Manager, commented "At the leisure club, we understand the importance of physical training for the Windjet team in preparation for the records. We are proud to be supporting this young, innovative, local team and look forward to assisting in bringing the records to Lymington."


Tuesday, 28th May 2002 - Windjet Gears Up for Waddington

With the weekend of the 29th/30th June 2002 fast approaching, the Windjet Team are gearing up for their appearance at the Waddington Airshow.

 The land craft will be on display for the duration of the Airshow in 3 Hangar, accompanied by the Windjet Team who will be on hand to answer any questions. The Team will also be taking applications for Supporters Club Membership.

The Club aims to bring members of the general public closer to the Windjet project through open days, on-line 'Question and Answer' sessions with the Windjet Team and via a specially designed 'Members Only' website. The Website will contain more in depth information about the project and the team, exclusive video footage and much more.

"In this Jubilee Year, it is very important for us to gain the support of the British public," explains Sara Moore, Windjet's Press and PR Officer. "We aim to make this project as inclusive as possible and make Windjet an enjoyable experience for everyone."

The Waddington International Airshow is taking place on the 29th and 30th June, 2002 at RAF Waddington - about 3 miles south of Lincoln. This years show promises to be the largest ever with an expected 200,000 visitors over the show weekend. Tickets are available in advance or on the day.

Monday, 27th May 2002 - Launch of Supporters Club Imminent

In order to make the Windjet experience as broad reaching and publicly orientated as possible, the Windjet Team are proud the announce the formation of the Windjet Supporters Club.

The creation of the Supporters Club would not have been possible without the support of two British software companies - LockedArea.com and Active Media.

LockedArea have provided the software to ensure secure access to the Windjet Members Site and to administer the Members List. The software also allows members to edit their membership details on-line and comprises the heart of the Supporters Club.

Active Media have provided the project with the capability to produce customised Windjet Screen Savers which will be available to members of the public. Active Media have been creating bespoke Screen Savers since 1995 and produced Screen Savers for the Thrust SSC Project to break the outright Land Speed Record back in 1997.

The Supporters Club will be officially launched at the Waddington Airshow on the 29th and 30th June, 2002.

Monday, 20th May 2002 - Trimite to supply Windjet paint

The Windjet team are delighted to announce that Trimite, Britain's leading paint and powder coating manufacturer, has joined Windjet as a Technical Partner.

Trimite will be supplying high toughness, low drag paint for use on all three Windjet vehicles. Similar paint is used on aircraft and the British Thrust SSC project that broke the outright World Land Speed Record in 1997.

The addition to of Trimite as a Windjet Technical Partner coincides with the re-launch of the Windjet project and vehicles in the new team colour scheme and livery.

"It's important for Windjet to develop a strong visual identity," explains Sara Moore, Windjet's Press and PR Officer. "The new livery will be rolled out across the project, from the website to team clothing to the vehicles themselves. There are some especially exciting news to be announced next month regarding the vehicle liveries, so watch this space!"

Details of Windjet's new livery and colour scheme will be released during the month of June 2002.

Sunday, 19th May 2002 - CNN cover Windjet Project

The Windjet Team hosted a film crew from CNN in early April for May's edition of CNN's 'Inside Sailing' series. During the day, the crew were able to film everything from the assembly of the land craft, some high-speed test runs and inside Windjet's Control Tower HQ at Waddington.

The Inside Sailing report can be read from CNN's website here.

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