Ford to attempt land speed record for fuel cell car

. The Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 land speed record vehicle was designed by Ford engineers and fabricated and built by Roush in Allen Park, Michigan. Ohio State students are providing the design of the 770 hp electric motor, while Ballard is supplying the hydrogen fuel cells. Ford retiree Rick Byrnes, a veteran Bonneville racer, will pilot the car on its record attempt. Ford researchers also are working with Ohio State University student engineers on its Buckeye Bullet 2, a fuel cell-powered racer that will compete for a similar world record in the unlimited class category. Gerhard Schmidt, vice president, Research & Advanced Engineering for Ford Motor Company explained that, “Our goal in attempting this record is to further expand our technological horizons with fuel cell powered vehicles. The collaboration with Ohio State University also affords us an opportunity to work closely with a prestigious university, which provides out-of-the-box thinking from student engineers and helps us recruit talented young people to work at Ford Motor Company.” The land speed record attempt will take place during Bonneville Speed Week from Aug. 10th to 17th. In 2004, Ohio State students set the unlimited land speed record for an electric vehicle by reaching 315 mph in the first Buckeye Bullet, the BB1.