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Edward’s Air Force Base, California: Tuesday August 25th

Today at 8.19am (California time) Charles Burnett III successfully broke the land speed record for a steam-powered car – which has stood for more than 100 years – achieving an average speed of 139.843mph on two runs over a measured mile. 

Driver Charles Burnett III piloted the car for both runs reaching a peak speed of 136.103mph on the first run and 151.085 mph on the second. The new international record, which is subject to official confirmation by the FIA, breaks the previous official FIA record of 127mph set in 1906 by American, Fred Marriott, driving a Stanley steamer at Daytona Beach.

As he was congratulated by his jubilant crew, principal driver, Charles Burnett III said: "It was absolutely fantastic I enjoyed every moment of it. We reached nearly 140mph on the first run before I applied the parachute. All systems worked perfectly, it was a really good run. The second run went even better and we clocked a speed in excess of 150 mph. The car really did handle beautifully. The team has worked extremely hard over the last 10 years and overcome numerous problems. It is a privilege to be involved with such a talented crew, what we have achieved today is a true testament to British engineering, good teamwork and perseverance”
 
Project Manager Matt Candy said: "The first run took place at 7.27am when the air temperature was a cool 63 degrees Fahrenheit, the team turned around the car in 52minutes (with just 8 minutes spare) in preparation for its return run.  The British Steam Car takes 2.5 miles to accelerate and after the measured mile, a further 2.5 miles to decelerate – so each run was over 6.5 miles. The FIA requires that the return run takes place within 60 minutes. The times of the two runs are then averaged to obtain the official recorded speed. Compared to the testing we did in Britain, the British Steam Car ran 12 times the distance and twice the maximum speed ­– all within one hour. It’s been a huge challenge for all.
 
Pam Swanston wife of the late project manager Frank Swanston was overcome with emotion after seeing Charles power the supercar across the dry lake bed, she said: "If only Frank was here today, it was his vision that made it a reality. He would be incredibly proud of the team's achievements and always believed we would succeed. Today we celebrate this record for Frank"

Weighing three tons, the sleek 25-ft British Steam Car is made from a mixture of lightweight carbon-fibre composite and aluminium wrapped around a steel space frame chassis. It is fitted with 12 boilers containing nearly two miles of tubing. Demineralised water is pumped into the boilers at up to 50 litres a minute and the burners produce three megawatts of heat. Steam is superheated to 400 degrees Celsius which is injected into the turbine at more than twice the speed of sound.

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Sobriety checkpoints set up in Bakersfield in recent months have not nabbed huge numbers of drunken drivers.

But they’re finding unlicensed drivers by the hundreds — with 92 cited at a single checkpoint in east Bakersfield last month.

There’s little doubt that the number of unlicensed drivers on Kern County’s roads is way up, and that means more drivers with no insurance — and higher costs and higher risks for the rest of us.

“There’s a high incidence of people driving on a suspended license. Plain and simple, they are breaking the law,” said Charlie Fivecoat, the chief of police in Shafter and the administrator in Kern County of a statewide DUI task force.

“They absolutely don’t have insurance, so you end up paying the bill for them” when they get in an accident, he said.

There's more to it. Read the entire story by clicking here. Then let us know what you think of this worstening situation?

Settling on a course of action that would have been unthinkable in years past, Fruitvale School District trustees said state budget cuts left them little choice as they voted 5-0 to reduce -- but not eliminate -- the district's celebrated music program.

"Heartbreaking" cuts also are expected in counseling and physical education, though specifics have yet to be worked out, district officials said. But the instrumental music program and chorus for grades 4-8 will be retained -- at least for now.

Much is on the line, including the equivalent of more than 12 full-time teaching and counseling positions.

Some of those jobs may be saved, said District Superintendent Carl Olsen. But he wouldn't provide details.

Will all of those who received layoff notices be rehired? Olsen said. No.

Full story: click here.

What do you think of Fruitvale's action?