Zircotec is pleased to be associated with the Bloodhound SSC 1,000mph land speed record challenge. We have been selected as an exclusive supplier to the BLOODHOUND Project, a land speed record attempt hoping to achieve 1000mph. We are becoming increasingly involved and as the project moves forward we expect to work closely with the team’s engineers to help protect an array of materials including steel, aluminium, titanium and composites.

Key applications cited for Zircotec's products include protection of the composite body panels surrounding the titanium afterburner nozzle petals, which are normally exposed to airflow on a Typhoon fighter. The catalyst pack, at the end of the casing of the 18" Falcon Rocket that will be generating 27,500 lbs of thrust, is another area that generates significant heat In addition to these, the exhaust manifolds for the 650bhp MCT V12, which will be running at 10,500rpm for 22 seconds during the rocket firing cycle, are set to be coated using Zircotec’s plasma sprayed ceramics. “All these major heat sources generate a packaging and heat management challenge to the design team,” says Conor La Grue, supply chain manager for the BLOODHOUND Programme. “Zircotec products will be invaluable in the overall packaging solution to allow the management and control of heat within BLOODHOUND SSC.”

The picture oposite shows a sample of our Performance White^TM coating (applied to an F1 race manifold) on display at Autosport International alongside Bloodhound 1,000mph car.

Le Mans Series participant JMW Motorsport looked to Zircotec to help reduce temperatures within its Ferrari 458 GTE race car. Zircotec's ThermoHold^® based exhaust coating has dramatically lowered engine compartment and cockpit temperatures within the Ferrari, as well as preventing damage to the surrounding bodywork.

"Regulations within the Le Mans Series specify the cockpit must be kept below 32°C during the races," says Zircotec's sales director Peter Whyman. "To meet this requirement teams have to use air conditioning systems, but these draw valuable power from the engine. By using our coating we lower engine compartment temperatures and minimise heat soak into the cockpit. By lowering temperatures in the Ferrari 458 GTE's cockpit, the car's power-consuming air conditioning system is operated far less frequently thereby increasing the car's performance whilst still keeping the driver and engine bay cool. It really is a win-win situation."

Renowned for its beautifully presented cars, JMW Motorsport searched for a long lasting solution that would prevent surrounding bodywork and paint from peeling or discoloration. "The collectors run very close to the chassis and bodywork," says Davey Nichols from Team JMW Motorsport. "By coating the manifolds we have eliminated all the damage to the painted components and can maintain the pristine finish."

The team is now working with Zircotec to look at other areas of the car where the effective management of heat could offer performance, reliability or durability gains. "Coating the composite fuel cell is something we could offer to protect it from heat and lower the fuel temperature inside," adds Whyman. "In addition our ZircoFlex^TM foil offers a lighter alternative flexible foil for cockpit bulkhead. Working together we aim to find other effective ways to manage heat and improve performance of the car and driver."

Read our associated Press Release>  

Zircotec has been named as a finalist in the Innovation of the Year category of the International Historic Motoring Awards. The award seeks to recognise innovative new products that are aimed at historic car enthusiasts or those working on the restoration or maintenance of historic vehicles. Zircotec has been selected following the launch of its new Liquid Black^TM exhaust coating earlier this year. Liquid Black^TM is a new enamel-like coating that offers a superb black gloss appearance coupled with significant levels of under-bonnet heat management. The coating simulates the original factory finish required by many classic car enthusiasts including the "vitreous enamel" finish applied to many Jaguar manifolds. More>

The awards ceremony is being held at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London on Wednesday, 16th November, 2011. More>