What did you do before you worked on BLOODHOUND?
I completed my HND Automotive Engineering at Coventry University in 1995 and went on to work at Xtrac Motorsport as a Design Engineer.
I have mainly worked on Motorsport projects; recently I was part of the design team that designed the JCB Dieselmax land speed record car.
How did you first get involved with the BLOODHOUND Project?
Following on from the experience I gained on the JCB project, I got a phone call asking if I would like to work on the project about three years ago.
What is your role at BLOODHOUND?
My job title is Engineering Lead – mechanical Design, so basically I am responsible for the major structures/suspension/steering etc.
What excites you most about the project?
The variety of different design problems
What are the greatest challenges you will face in building a 1000mph car?
Where do you start! Nearly all the parts of this car have some sort of challenge, but I think the wheels, suspension, chassis and steering all have big issues to overcome.
One aim of BLOODHOUND is to inspire the next generation of engineers to consider a career in engineering. How do you think BLOODHOUND can achieve this?
I think the key to inspiring the next generation of engineers is allow them to see the design process and final solution, I think it is very difficult to teach design, I learnt by trial and error in the garage with my dad! (see next question)
Were there any engineering projects which inspired you when you were younger?
I spent a lot of time when I was younger, helping my dad in the garage building racing cars, and I still spend a lot of my spare time playing in the garage!
Did you ever think you would get to work on such an exciting project?
Yes, otherwise I would have gone off and done something else.
What career aspirations do you have after 2018?
I don’t have a career plan, just go with the flow, but I would like to design a racing yacht one day.