The Vampire Jet Car

Vampire Jet Car – British Land Speed Record Holder

Origins and Construction (1980–1981)

  • Built in 1981: Vampire was one of two near-identical jet-powered dragsters (the other named Hellbender) constructed by British drag racing pioneer Allan “Bootsie” Herridge at Santa Pod Raceway. They were designed as exhibition cars to wow crowds with flame and thunder, expanding drag racing’s appeal beyond traditional engines.
  • Predecessors: In the late 1970s, Santa Pod had built an earlier jet car called Scorpion to prove the concept. That success led to Vampire and Hellbender – lighter, improved twin machines built for spectacular side-by-side runs.
  • Appearance: Vampire was originally painted black (while its sister Hellbender was white). It measured roughly 30 ft (9.1 m) in length and weighed about 0.9 tonnes (≈910 kg).

Technical Specifications

  • Engine: Powered by a Rolls-Royce Orpheus turbojet engine taken from a Red Arrows Folland Gnat jet trainer. An afterburner from a SEPECAT Jaguar fighter was grafted on, effectively doubling thrust when lit.
  • Thrust & Power: The jet produces up to 5,000 lbf of thrust with afterburner (about three times the car’s weight). This high thrust-to-weight ratio gave Vampire extreme acceleration.
  • Fuel: Runs on Jet A-1 kerosene. Fuel consumption is enormous – roughly 7–10 UK gallons per mile (about 1 litre per second without afterburner, and 3 litres/sec with it).
  • Acceleration: 0–60 mph in ~0.7 seconds; 0–100 mph in under 2 sec; 0–200 mph in ~5.2 sec. It can blast from standstill to 272 mph in about 6 seconds on a longer run. In the quarter-mile sprint, it has hit ~272 mph in 6.6 seconds – quicker than a top-fuel dragster of its era.
  • Braking: Twin parachutes (16 ft ribbon chutes) are deployed to slow down, with deceleration up to 6 g. Conventional disc brakes are fitted but are only useful at lower speeds; the parachutes are vital to safely stop the car after a high-speed run.

Drag Racing Career and Public Demonstrations (1980s–1990s)

Spectacle on the Strip: Throughout the 1980s, Vampire and Hellbender toured drag strips and shows across the UK and Europe, thrilling spectators with afterburner flames and thunderous runs. The two cars would often perform side-by-side “match races” purely for show, as a highlight of events.

Dangers in Exhibition: Hellbender was involved in a tragic accident in 1986 at Santa Pod, in which driver Mark Woodley (an experienced drag racer) was killed. Hellbender was retired after that crash, leaving Vampire as the sole exhibition jet car on the team.

Continued Legacy:  Vampire carried on performing at drag racing events and airshows into the 1990s, cementing its reputation as one of the most famous jet cars in Europe. It changed ownership in the 1990s and was repainted bright yellow during this period. Under its new owners, the car began aiming for official speed records while still making public demonstration runs.

Speed Records and Performance Milestones

  • UK Land Speed Record (2000): On 5 July 2000, driver Colin Fallows piloted Vampire to an average speed of 300.3 mph (483.3 km/h) over a flying mile at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire. This set the outright British land speed record, a mark which Vampire still holds to this day (the highest speed officially recorded by a car on UK soil).
  • Fastest Runs: Vampire’s highest recorded speed is 314 mph (505 km/h), achieved by Richard Hammond in 2006 during Top Gear testing. However, this was an unofficial peak (records require two-way average and official timing). It demonstrates the car’s extraordinary potential – capable of well over 300 mph given enough runway.
  • Acceleration Feats: As a drag racer, Vampire’s acceleration was equally eye-opening. It covered the standard ¼-mile drag strip in ~6.6 seconds at ~272 mph terminal speed. For comparison, it went 0–272 mph in the same time a typical family car takes to go 0–60. Few vehicles of any type have accelerated faster on land.
  • Show Stopper: Over its career, Vampire became a headline attraction at events like Santa Pod’s “Flame & Thunder” show, wowing crowds with nighttime fireballs from its afterburner. It brought jet propulsion out of military aircraft and onto the track, securing a unique place in British motorsport history. “It’s an iconic car, and there’s a lot of history associated with it,” said owner Colin Fallows.

2006 Top Gear Crash – Richard Hammond’s Accident

  • High-Speed Accident: In September 2006, Vampire gained worldwide notoriety when it crashed during filming of BBC’s Top Gear. Presenter Richard Hammond was attempting to break the British speed record when on 20 September 2006 the car lost control at nearly 288. The front-right tyre burst, and Vampire veered off Elvington’s runway, flipping and ploughing into the grass field at extreme speed.
  • Cause Analysis: Investigators found that a combination of factors led to the crash. There were strong crosswinds that day, which, due to Vampire’s large tail fin, made the car behave like a weather vane. Hammond had to steer left into the wind to keep the car straight, which put excess strain on the front-right tyre. The sustained high speed and counter-steering caused that tire to overheat and finally blow out. In a split second, the dragster was out of control.
  • Aftermath for Driver: Richard Hammond’s roll cage and restraints saved his life, but he was severely injured. He suffered a serious brain injury and was in a coma for two weeks; he spent five weeks in hospital recovering. Remarkably, Hammond made a full recovery and returned to Top Gear in early 2007, gaining praise for his courage.
  • Aftermath for Car: Vampire was destroyed in the crash – the chassis bent, the jet engine badly damaged, and debris scattered. In December 2007, the wreck of Vampire was listed for sale on eBay as “scrap” with its owners hoping to raise a small sum from what remained. The listing described the car as “a little worse for wear after its much-publicised excursion into the weeds”, noting that almost every component was damaged.
  • Owners at the Time: The car was then co-owned by its record-setting driver Colin Fallows and his business partner Mark Newby (both of the Primetime Landspeed Engineering team). They remarked that many land speed cars have “crashed and been resurrected” and hoped Vampire’s story was not over.

Restoration and Bromyard Connection (2010s–2020s)

Bromyard Syndicate Purchase:  In October 2019, a syndicate of eight motor enthusiasts from Bromyard, Herefordshire purchased the Vampire and brought it to Bromyard. This team – which included some Bromyard Speed Festival volunteers – set about a full restoration of the car. They received guidance from the original race engineer and driver of Vampire (veterans from its Santa Pod days) and rallied over 50 people who contributed time and expertise to the project.

Hundreds of Hours: Over 2019–2021 the car was completely stripped down in a local Bromyard workshop. Every system was refurbished or replaced – from the suspension and steering to the complex jet fuel and ignition systems. New body panels were fabricated using the old moulds provided by Roy Phelps, so the exterior was restored to its original shape. By mid-2021, after countless hours of meticulous work, Vampire was brought back to life as a fully functional jet dragster once again.

Return to Action: In July 2021, the restored Vampire ran its engine for the first time in 15 years. Final tests were done just in time for a grand reappearance at the Bromyard Speed Festival that summer. On 1 August 2021, Vampire made its public comeback at a special Bromyard Speed Festival event held at Shelsley Walsh hillclimb course, Worcestershire. The following year Richard Hammond was invited to view the car and was brave enough to sit back in the car that nearly caused his death. In May 2022, the Speed Festival returned to Bromyard, where crowds witnessed the UK’s fastest car firing up its jet engine – an unforgettable spectacle and a triumphant return.

Bromyard Pride: The connection to Bromyard is now a point of pride – this historic car has been saved and maintained by the local community. The town’s involvement has firmly linked Bromyard’s name to Vampire’s continuing story.

Current Status and Significance

  • Living Legend: Vampire still exists today – fully restored and operational. As of 2025, it remains the fastest car in the UK, holding the national land speed record of 300+ mph. No other car on British soil has yet surpassed the benchmark it set.
  • Public Appearances: The car now appears at various motorsport and aviation events as a star exhibit. It is often run in “fire-up” demonstrations where the engine is ignited and the afterburner engaged for crowds (typically without a full-speed run due to space and safety). For example, Vampire was showcased at the Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare in 2022 as a guest of a car show, drawing enthusiastic spectators.  It’s available for hire to event organisers, meaning fans across the country can still witness its thunderous roar and jet flame up close.
  • Location: When not on tour, Vampire is kept and maintained in the Bromyard area. The ownership syndicate continues to look after it, ensuring this piece of engineering heritage stays in top condition. It’s not in a static museum – Vampire is a working exhibit, brought out on special occasions to educate and entertain.
  • Cultural Impact: Over four decades, Vampire has become a symbol of innovation and daring in British motorsport. It bridged the gap between aviation and auto racing, and its story – from 1980s drag strips, through record-setting glory, to a famous TV crash and full restoration. Its preservation and recent revival also demonstrate the passion of enthusiasts in keeping history alive. Today, seeing Vampire in action offers a tangible link to the heyday of jet cars and the ongoing pursuit of speed
  • Exhibitions: Vampire is expected to be a highlight at this year's Bromyard Speed Festival. Visitors can admire the car’s engineering up close – from the sleek jet fighter intake nose to the massive parachute packs – and appreciate the story behind it. Panels, photos, and knowledgeable volunteers often accompany the display to share Vampire’s history with the public. Vampire’s saga continues to fascinate new generations – and it all can be experienced right here, thanks to Bromyard’s dedication to preserving this legendary jet car.