The Bloodhound Super Sonic Car conducted its first public test run today, rocketing 210 mph (340 km/h) down the runway at Newquay Airport in southwest England. The test was a prelude for the rocket-powered car's ultimate, record-setting goal: 1,000 mph (1,610 km/h).

But that test, planned for a dry lake bed in South Africa, won't happen until at least 2020 — though the Bloodhound team said today's dry run gave them confidence that the car could eventually achieve the goal. Driven by Royal Air Force Wing commander Andy Green, Bloodhound SSC made two trips down Newquay's 1.7-mile (2.7-km) runway. Green is the current holder of the world land speed record, and the first person to break the sound barrier on land.

The car, which mixes technology from F1 racecars, jets, and spaceships, was able to accelerate to 210 mph in about nine seconds during both its test runs. The thousands of spectators were treated to the ear-splitting sound of the vehicle, as well as the bright orange flame from the Eurofighter EJ200 jet engine.