We are playing our part in an ambitious bid to break the world land speed record.

Thanks to Ifor Williams Trailers, enthusiasts, engineers and students on the island of Jersey were able to see for themselves the cause of all the excitement, the supersonic car, Bloodhound SSC.

The car will be propelled in the world record attempt in South Africa by a £4.5 million jet engine with 27,000Ibs of thrust.

Along with the car itself, it was the centrepiece of the Jersey International Motor Festiva. The massive engine was taken there on a trailer provided by the market-leading trailer firm.

The aim of the project is not only to break the 1,000mph barrier but to inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers through an education programme surrounding the research, design and buildings of the supercar.

To date over 5,000 schools and colleges have signed up and engineering companies from across the United Kingdom have produced key components.

Behind the ambitious multi-million pound venture is Richard Noble, the man behind the Thrust and Thrust 2 projects, who held the land speed record from 1983 to 1997. The current record stands at 763mph and the pilot who set that record in the Thrust SSC was Andy Green, who is also involved this time.

When Richard Noble approached Lord Drayson, Minister for Science and Innovation, for backing he was told that support would be given only if the project were expanded to help solve the growing shortage of scientists and engineers in this country.

It was as part of that education programme, and to disseminate information about the iconic car that the Bloodhound team visited Jersey – and that posed a problem in getting the two-ton engine and its cradle to the island.

Tony Parraman, Bloodhound's head of sponsor liaison, explained: "We decided it would be cheaper to take it on a trailer than on a huge truck.

"We went straight to Ifor Williams Trailers because of their reputation, and the one they provided has proved ideal for the purpose. It is making life a lot easier."

After explaining what was required to Ifor Williams Trailers, it was agreed that an LM166 flatbed trailer with sides would fit the bill.

With the Bloodhound project based in Bristol they were put in touch with the company’s nearest distributors, Cotswold Trailers, in Andoversford, near Cheltenham, who were able to provide the trailer at once.

"We were shown pictures of the engine and it was explained that the it would be loaded with a forklift," said Managing Director Frank Hemming.

"The flatbed is normally used for general haulage but all we needed to do was to add some eyelets so that the engine could be strapped down."

The Bloodhound project is gathering momentum and in August the engine will be on display at the National Eisteddfod in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Andrew Reece-Jones, the Design Engineering Manager, at Ifor Williams Trailers, was delighted they were able to help Bloodhound transport the engine.

He added: "Our trailers have been designed to be flexible and they have been called upon to transport many unusual loads but as far as I'm aware we've never carried a high-powered jet engine before - it's also quite possibly the most valuable piece of kit ever transported in one of our trailers."

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News » Trailer with jet engine helps world speed record attempt