Mel built the lakester about 3 years ago for Les. It was specifically
designed to break the 1990 Carr-Kaplan 306 mph El Mirage record.
It runs a 371 cid KB hemi with the latest TF stuff. Pete Prentice drove it
for the first time this year. He quickly mastered the very difficult task of
getting something this powerful down the El Mirage course.
I was on the other side of Les's trailer working on Larry Lindsley's car
when they warmed it . You could tell by the way it hit that Les had a
very serious load in the tank that afternoon.
Watching from the return road opposite the lights it was a fast and perfect
run. We knew it was in the 300 mph range but 312 was fantastic! I wish I
could describe the power and speed with which it came down the track.
Maybe Glen can, he has the best seat in the house.
Thinking back on Freddies run earlier in the morning, before the rear end
gave up at half track, he was coming every bit as hard as Pete. I can see
both cars going back and forth with the record. By the end of next season,
at least mid 330's?
Jim Bickford
----- Original Message -----
From: Glen Barrett <speedtimer@earthlink.net>
To: Jim Dincau <jdincau@qnet.com>
Cc: Wester S Potter <wspotter@jps.net>; <land-speed@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, October 15, 1999 3:34 PM
Subject: Re: 312 MPH
> Gentlemen
> I can answer your question on the 500 car. It was built as a lakester by
Mel
> Swain for Leggitt. The modified roadster is still in Jim Howes garage.
Hope this
> helps.
> Glen
>
> Jim Dincau wrote:
>
> > > Jim,
> > > I'm curious ... the front view I have seen in pictures of Leggit's
> > lakester
> > > looks much like Jim Howe's 300 mph modified roadster from several
years
> > ago.
> > > I think that car won a class award at the Oakland Roadster Show. Do
you
> > > know if the lakester is a new car or could it be a change on the older
> > > modified roadster?
> > > Wes
> >
> > Wes
> > I believe this car was built as a lakester, what I am not sure about is
if
> > it is the same
> > lakester Les has been putting motors in for the last few years or if it
is a
> > new one.
> > I will give it the once over next month and report back (if my memory
will
> > co-operate).
> > We won't be at the world finals as I foolishly made a prior commitment.
> > Jim
>
>
>
>
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