e=motion team ends attempt to break record

The British e=motion team has given up its latest attempt to break the electric-car speed record, after the vehicle failed to start for a third morning in a row.

The project has been beset with difficulties that have postponed the attempt a number of times. On this occasion, the car performed well in England and on a practice run in the desert, some 200km west of Salt Lake City, USA, but electrical problems then stopped progress. When driver Mark Newby turned on the power in the cockpit for the record run, the circuit board did not work.

Despite hours of engineering, the car remained unfit to drive. Engineers have considered whether either the battery or condensation in the drive controller were to blame but a secondary problem in the controller unit in the nose of the car has left the team baffled.

The car will be inspected when it returns to Britain. The team hopes to return next year to break the 245mph record.