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4D Land Speed Record Simulator reopens in February

30 January 2023

Experience the thrill of Thrust SSC's supersonic drive as our 4D simulator reopens for the first time since 2020

Ever wondered what it’s like to drive the fastest car in the world? With the reopening of our star attraction on Thursday 9 February, museum visitors will have the chance to experience what it feels like to break the sound barrier on land.

First opened in 2015, the 4D Land Speed Record Simulator has been closed since pandemic restrictions came into force in 2020, but is now reopening for the first time in three years.

Specially developed by Metropolis Entertainment, the 14-seat, full-motion Stargazer theatre attempts to recreate the experience of Thrust SSC’s record-breaking drive on 15 October 1997. Wing Commander Andy Green, who drove the extraordinary vehicle to its supersonic speed of 763mph, said in 2015 that riding the simulator, “still gave [him] goosebumps, bringing back memories of wrestling Thrust SSC’s steering and fighting to keep the 10-tonne monster straight at over 600mph.”

The reopening of the simulator follows hot on the heels of the 25th anniversary of the land speed record in 2022 – a record which remains unbroken to this day. The occasion was marked at the museum with a visit from Warwickshire-born Andy Green, a series of themed talks and family activities and a live link-up with other members of the Thrust SSC team in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert where the record was broken. You can watch our video interview with Andy Green below.

The welcome news lands just ahead of February half-term in Coventry, which will see the arrival of Dippy the dinosaur at the nearby Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, further adding to the city’s growing cultural offer. The first 100 people to ride on the newly opened simulator will also receive a free Thrust SSC pin badge.

As an extra incentive to explore the city centre, those with free tickets to see Dippy in Coventry can claim 10% off entry to Coventry Transport Museum when visiting both attractions on the same day – so you could plunge 150 million years into Earth’s Jurassic past and power through the sound barrier towards the future of human engineering all in one trip!

The 4D simulator is located in Coventry Transport Museum’s Land Speed Gallery, alongside the original Thrust SSC vehicle and its record-breaking predecessor Thrust2. Also currently on display in the gallery is Bloodhound LSR – a vehicle designed to travel even faster than Thrust SSC, which is currently awaiting funding for its world record attempt. October 2023 will mark the 40th anniversary of Thrust2 achieving a top speed of 622.407mph.

The 4D Land Speed Record Simulator will reopen at Coventry Transport Museum on Thursday 9 February, with rides running every hour, on the hour, between 11am and 4pm. Riding the simulator costs £3 per person, £10 for a family of four or £12 for a family of five. Tickets are bookable in-person on the day of your visit.

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