A HAMPSHIRE powerboat racer could about to go supersonic – by travelling at 800mph in a bid to smash the world land speed record.Race ace Sarah Donohue has been shortlisted to drive the 48ft Fossett Land Speed Racer following the disappearance of millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett.

If the former European offshore and American national powerboat champion gets picked to drive the US-built, jet powered machine, she could find herself travelling at a top speed of 800mph – beating the 763mph record previously set by RAF pilot Andy Green driving Thrust SSC in 1997.

And the 35-year-old from Hamble has revealed to the Daily Echo that if she was asked to pilot the car, she would say yes.

“I think they are going to pick a fighter pilot because they are used to travelling at those speeds and the forces that go with it,” she said.

“But if for whatever reason I was asked to be the driver, I would say yes.

“I’d be a fool not to. But there would be a lot of questions I would have to ask and a lot of people to speak to before making the final decision.

“If it goes wrong at 800mph, it’s going to go very wrong.”

Sarah was named among the potential 25 drivers – 15 women and 10 men – who made the list after impressing team bosses with her driving skills.

Not only is she a champion powerboat racer but she also did all the powerboat stunts in James Bond film The World is Not Enough.Sarah now faces a an agonising wait to hear if she is the right woman to step into the shoes of 63-year-old Fossett, who is presumed dead after going missing in September while flying a light aircraft over Nevada.

Historically driving duties have been taken on by men, but the team behind the latest world land speed record attempt announced they were looking for a female driver – because the cockpit of the car is small.

Programme manager Eric Ahlstrom said: “We believe there are a number of women active in motor sports and aviation who are qualified to drive our jet car through the sound barrier and beyond.

“A smaller driver will have advantages in entry and exit, visibility and control.

“The driver will be expected to provide detailed feedback data, run-byrun, that will build to the World Record.

“We’re doing something that’s never been done before.”

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