According to Eureka Magazine, British engineer, The Rocket Men strapped a rocket to a classic Mini and sent it flying down the slopes of Lillehammer!

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The challenge was part of Top Gear’s Winter Olympic Special.

A team of rocket designers made the propulsion units for the car, then found it needed some Smalley spiral retaining rings to keep the motor unit attached to the rocket housing.

Colin Rowe of the Rocket Men explained: “Speed, mass and deceleration are three pivotal components that have to be controlled in any rocket powered launch. If the motor became disengaged because of a faulty spiral retaining ring, suddenly with one part of the equation missing we would have a potential disaster.î

The spiral retaining rings are upscale versions of those used in model rocketry. The motor retainers need to be light and strong. Using TFC spiral retaining rings allow the operator to insert and remove the motor in the field with only a screwdriver.

[ Original Article By Lou Reade With Photo ]