Land-speed record attempt stalled

Britain's attempt on the land speed record was stalled yesterday after the rear suspension of the Thrust SSC car was damaged during a 540 mph trial run. Although the driver, Andy Green, was unhurt, the team leader Richard Noble decided that they should return home from the trials in the Jordanian desert.

But although they did not achieve their test target of a 600mph desert run, the team members are confident that they can go for a record-breaking run of 750mph - breaking the sound barrier - in the US in September. Mr Noble is the current world record holder, having achieved 633mph in 1993 at Black Rock desert in Nevada, in the western US.