A BRITISH team is preparing to try to break the world electric land speed record - with the help of North-East electrical engineering specialists.

Slater Drive Systems, of Newcastle, is part of an alliance supplying the main engine, composed of an electric motor and electronic drive unit that will accelerate the 32ft vehicle to more than 300mph.

The motor and drive are more commonly used in everyday industrial applications for saving energy in pump, fan and conveyor applications.

Slater Drive Systems has helped supply the equipment as part of its membership of the ABB Drives Alliance - a UK network of electronic drive suppliers.

The company is also sponsoring the car - known as ABB e=motion - for its record attempt on the Chott-el-Jerid salt flats, in Southern Tunisia, on June 9.

Driver Mark Newby and engineer Colin Fallows will be taking the car to Tunisia in an attempt to establish a world record, recognised by the world motor sport organisation FIA, in the face of stiff competition from around the world.

The drive unit has already helped the ABB e=motion team to unofficially break the British electric land speed record of 139mph.

During testing at Bruntingthorpe airfield, in Leicestershire, last summer, the car achieved 146mph within 1,000 yards, compared to the two miles needed by the present title holders.

Slater Drive Systems managing director Kevin Brown said: "Normally, the equipment we supply is used to power industrial machines such as pumps and fans. As far as we know, this is the first time that this sort of technology has ever been used for a challenge like this."

According to computer simulations, the 650hp car should be capable of 304mph.

The team leaves Dover on June 1 for the overland journey to Tunisia. The car's first run will be on June 9 at the track, provided by the Tunisian authorities near the town of Tozeur.