Thanks for the tip Chris, I will look for that book. A good
friend of mine worked on the GT-40 program in it's hey day
too. It would make a good read for me and a very special
present for him if he does not have a copy. Like all racers
i am sure he wa to busy racing to do much else. That's the
same reason I have so few photos of cars I raced. I am not a
driver but an engineer and love the design and tuning
aspects of racing. The only issue I have with Bonneville is
i want to be at the start to make sure that car gets warmed
up properly and gets off ok and also be at the 4 to hear it
go by to give the tune up a final check..LOL But if I could
get to the 4 before the car then maybe racing the wrong
vehicle.. I bet I will be the only one in the old folks home
listening to sound track of 'Grand prix' instead of old big
band music LOL...
Dave ( who has been haunted by that certain sound for over
40 years)
BTW did you race at Lake Gardnier in '95 your name sounds
very familiar...
Chris R Harris wrote:
>
> Dave, I particularly enjoyed your description of a well tuned engine, you
> would have to agree that Bonneville is one of the greatest stages for such a
> performance and a major reason for non competitors to attend. This car
> sickness thing can be a bunch of work for little pleasure at times although
> I personally enjoy the planning, building and prep also. Anyone who has ever
> cross threaded a nut and dosn't stop what they are doing and look in the
> direction of that particular sound has no passion for things automotive.
> That sound is one of those brief experiances that allows you to forget all
> previous blow-ups, failures and other Murphy's Law hiccups.
>
> John Wyer an englishman who I believe managed the Ford GT40's in their
> heyday of the 60's actually wrote a book called 'That Certain Sound' about
> that very thing.
>
> Chris Harris NZed
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dave Dahlgren" <ddahlgren@snet.net>
> To: "The Butters Family" <bbutters@coldreams.com>
> Cc: "Wester S Potter" <wspotter@jps.net>; "Jonathan Amo"
> <webmaster@landracing.com>; "Malcolm Pittwood" <MPittwood@compuserve.com>;
> "LSR List" <land-speed@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2001 1:06 AM
> Subject: Re: Clarifying Wheeldriven Records
>
> > i was at the 4 when Tom went by on that 450 pass and he
> > looked mighty hooked up to me. I would think if there was a
> > 500 mph car with a piston engine that is constructed today
> > he is the man. he went by like it was an easy test pass
> > going down the track and both engines where pulling very
> > nice. It did make all the right sounds, two very happy
> > engines with the tune up he had. When they are right you can
> > hear it , at least i can. I have spend over 30 years tuning
> > up race engines and they have a certain set of
> > characteristics in the way they sound under a load that says
> > a lot about how they are running. I am not sure I can
> > describe it but it does not matter 2 cylinder or 16 high rpm
> > or low. It is more about the spacing of the power pulses out
> > the exhaust and relative pitch from one pulse to another.
> > When you hear it and recognize it you won't forget it. Kind
> > of like a musical instrument that is in perfect tune is the
> > closest i can describe it. Toms car was making all those
> > noises. The only other way you can sense it is the car seems
> > to be moving effortlessly with nothing in the engine
> > straining to get the job done. When they are not right the
> > only way I can describe it is the engine sounds all pi&&ed
> > off.
> > Dave Dahlgren
> > ( with obviously no passion for a well tuned engine and
> > racing in general)
> >
> > The Butters Family wrote:
> > >
> > > The last issue of Bonneville racing news had an article on
> designing
> > > a 500 mph wheel driven car. I had to think, it has already been
> designed.
> > > Tom will rip up the course given the right conditions and we will never
> > > forget that day or the sound of the run. Kvach: some things are just to
> much
> > > fun not to do them again.
///
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