Jet-engined Bloodhound supersonic car hits 628mph causing its paint to peel off

A JET-POWERED car has hit 628mph during testing ahead of its attempt to shatter the land speed record.

The Bloodhound LSR hit supersonic speed limits during trials this week in the Kalahari Desert, causing its paint to peel off.

Driven by British RAF Wing commander Andy Green, the high-speed motor is attempting to hit the 1,000mph mark next year.

Sensors during the test show that the airflow beneath the car went supersonic, causing the paint near the front wheels to be stripped back.

The current land speed record was set by the UK pilot in 1997 when his Thrust supersonic car hit 763mph in a Nevada desert.

Powered by a EuroFighter jet engine with three Nammmo rockets, the Bloodhound LSR can produce 135,000 thrust horsepower - which is the equivalent of more than 150 Formula One Cars.

And at full speed, the supersonic car can cover a mile in just 3.6 seconds.

The Bloodhound travels so fast that a twin parachute is also required to shoot out of the back just to bring it to a halt.

The team are aiming to break the current land speed record, before attempting the feat of 1,000mph.

Andy Green told the Mirror: "This morning we had the perfect conditions for a high speed run; cool temperatures and virtually no wind.

"After a slick start procedure from the team, the car handled superbly once again.

"The stability and confidence the car gives me as a driver is testament to the years of world class engineering that has been invested in her by team members past and present.

"With all the data generated by reaching 628 mph, we’re in a great position to focus on setting a new world land speed record in the next year or so.

"A vital component in the success of our high speed testing has been the race track created here at Hakskeenpan.

"It’s proved to be exactly what we need and I’m delighted with how the car has performed on it."