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Thrust Simulator celebrates 10,000 visitors since reopening post-Covid 18 months ago

19 August 2024

A much loved Coventry attraction is celebrating after welcoming its 10,000th visitor since its reopening 18 months ago.

The 4D Land Speed Record Simulator at Coventry Transport Museum, originally launched in 2015, reopened in February 2023 after being closed for three years due to Covid.

The state-of-the-art simulator offers a thrilling, immersive experience that allows visitors to feel what it was like when Wing Commander Andy Green broke the sound barrier in 1997, driving the Thrust SSC at a record-breaking 763 mph.

The simulator, located in the museum’s Land Speed Gallery, is a significant draw, featuring alongside the Thrust SSC and Thrust2 vehicles that are central to Coventry’s storied engineering heritage. The gallery also showcases the Bloodhound LSR, a vehicle designed to potentially break even more speed records in the future.

Coventry Transport Museum venue manager Matt Mullen said: “The response from visitors has been overwhelmingly positive.

“We’re thrilled to see so many people excited by the history and technology behind these incredible machines. The simulator not only honours past achievements but also inspires a new generation to explore the possibilities of engineering.”

The simulator’s popularity is particularly fitting, given that it coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Thrust2’s world record, an event celebrated by the museum last year.

The simulator has had some intriguing and colourful guests in recent months, including a 32-strong ukulele group who performed songs at the museum after enjoying the ride.

As the museum continues to attract visitors from all over the world, the 4D Simulator remains a central highlight, offering rides every hour between 11am and 4pm at a cost of just £3, making it an accessible adventure for families and thrill-seekers alike.

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Coventry Transport Museum is home to the world's two fastest cars.

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Get up close to the two fastest cars in the world, Thrust SSC and Thrust 2.

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