Driving Richard Noble’s Thrust SSC (SuperSonic Car) in 1997, Andy set the world’s first and only supersonic land speed record at an astonishing 763 mph, driving literally ‘faster than a speeding bullet’. The huge technological, practical and personal challenges that the team faced, and overcame, in pursuit of the ultimate Land Speed Record is a remarkable story that is not quickly forgotten.

After setting the outright Land Speed Record in 1997, he went on to drive the JCB DIESELMAX car in 2006. He and the team overcame some very different but equally challenging problems to smash the diesel record, setting an impressive new mark of 350 mph for the world’s fastest diesel car.

Not content with these records, Andy is now the driver for the new BLOODHOUND SuperSonic Car, which aims to exceed the incredible target of 1000 mph. This project, linked through a major education programme into schools across the country, aims to inspire the next generation of young engineers and scientists, while setting the most remarkable Land Speed Record of all time.

Yet despite these remarkable adventures, Andy’s first love is the Royal Air Force. A veteran of combat theatres around the world, he has commanded Royal Air Force operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. His career has included flying the F4 Phantom, Tornado F3 and (briefly) the Harrier. He is now working in the Training Group at Royal Air Force High Wycombe, helping to develop the next generation of Royal Air Force personnel.