The salt flats are crowded ... urban sprawl type thing. Mike Manghelli said
they originally laid out the pits with room for what they expected to be
around 340 cars. Typical Bonneville pits ... a row of pits along the course
side, space to pull in or out, the center row of pits can accommodate two
deep or one big transporter with ancillary cars and such, another wide space
and a row along the back of the pits. Tech inspection, impound, SCTA-BNI
trailers and concessions on the end nearest the starting line area (two plus
miles away) and a few pits at right angles on the end away from there. When
I arrived on Sunday morning they had added another area with a similar
configuration at the far end ... I'd guess there's about 120 cars up there.
They had been forced to call for additional toilets, Red Flame was
scrambling to get additional hamburger buns, they ran our of cheese for
cheeseburgers yesterday and even had the owner, Jack Brimhall out flipping
burgers.
With two courses, even Ron Christensen on the AM radio with sometimes two
spotters was having a hard time keeping up with the action. I don't know
how Glen does it in the timing trailer. A two ring circus is orchestrated
but this is just busy, busy. busy, with no pattern other than the push to
run cars ... and bikes.
Seth Hammond has added a turbocharger to his beautiful lakester. The
quality of installation on all that additional "stuff" was impressive. Seth
used some metals and some impressive machining to fit everything into the
space available. Tanis got another record and they make it look easy. She
was the "Fast Lady" at World of Speed last year.
Took pictures of the Burklands with their trophy for Fast Time at World of
Speed. Hope they can get things working for another run. They couldn't get
it started yesterday when they were going to do a test run on the new
parachutes ... run to the three and pull the chutes type of thing. They and
Al Teague were on the line at the same time for the biggest crowd attraction
of the day.
They have had to block access to the car from the crowds of spectators who
were getting in the way of their crew. Betty Burkland and Jane Teague have
similar problems.
The Vesco's were just signing autographs after their 458 mph run with a 470
exit speed. Rick says they will wait for an FIA sanctioned run on the 11
mile hot-rod course he has dragged. It's doubtful it would hold up on the
south end for a full blown meet.
People just keep showing up. There were several cars there on Monday who
had not arrived as yet when I left on Sunday.
Both of the Amo boys have red hats ... and Keith is still working on his. I
think there is something about that purple and gold driving suit! Slows the
car down at speed.
Ed Van Scoy qualified Sunday for a record and in the process he put holes in
his radiator when the fan disintegrated. The last I saw of them Sunday, he
and Dale Clay were pouring Bars-Leak and patching with J B Weld. Monday the
patches had held but they found more 4" higher when they put water into the
radiator. A rush trip to buy more patching stuff, duct tape to hold it in
place after it arrived, a quick top off on the radiator and the last car on
record runs was away. It was almost an anticlimax when he got the record.
He's through racing at this event however, says he has broken everything he
brought to run. His wife Linda says now they can start to visit with people
and enjoy themselves without worrying about the pressures of racing. The
hands should be OK in ten days or so from the residue of the patching stuff
... just as soon as the skin exfoliates.
Terry Hunt was looking rather surprised in his new red hat. The Guam Bomb
ran well! Went faster than he expected. His pit crew was having a ball in
impound while they waited for the displacement to be verified. I asked if
their charter plane to take them home was landing on the salt and they
assured me that it was due soon. That has to be the fastest two runs ever
by a stock bodied '53 Studebaker coupe. Terry gave credit to the new tires.
Said there was no squirm, no slipping, the car ran straight and strong every
run.
Dave Haller was his usual happy self. The Chev coupe sounded strong when it
ran and he was just happy to be back on the salt. The last I saw of the car
it was out in the middle of the pits, no one around it, looked like a little
lost kid.
Howard Nafzger was there in line too run with his new streamliner.
Impressive big car. That's what happens when you switch from motorcycle
engines to V-8's ... you need more space.
Keith and Dave Dahlgren were discussing ( a polite term) sheet metal changes
on the hood scoop on the Camaro. We mine copper at the huge open pit mine
near Salt Lake to provide the wiring in that engine bay. What kind of armor
do you need to be on that pit crew?
The Timney/Williams/Beckett pick up was in inspection where they were
changing classes after swaping out rear ends and putting in the quick
change.
Both of the Nebulous Theorum streamliners were in impound ... side by side.
I guess I'm used to the sight by now but with the top off the body they do
look less like lawn darts. Jack comes prepared to race and his design
really works. Impressive!!!
The MuscleMotorsports car was almost ready for a run and Gribble was
thrashing while his wife and the Mayfields handled the social end of things.
I'm anxious to hear how it ran on those wide tires. Kind of a grey area at
the salt.
The Black Radon crew was there and towing down to inspection the last I saw
of them. Some major changes on the rear air management on that car. They
are pitted next to Bill Ward and his incredible Opel Coupe.
I am not giving times because I would probably be wrong and the accurate
ones will be posted eventually for those of you who care desperately about
such things. Jonathan Amo will have lots of time to catch up on those
details now he doesn't have to rush around trying to raise his own record.
I was thinking how interesting it was that the people on the list are
drifting in and helping out where they can with others who really are the
modern version of Pen-Pals. Great group of people!
I'm sure I have missed several people I should have mentioned but this is
all I can come up with in my tired state. Two round rips to the salt in two
days after the rush of the week before has left me really tired. I'm not
going out again today, just too much to do before leaving tomorrow for a ten
day trip. Only one more wedding open house for this new father-in-law.
Rick Byrnes, I'll see you around the 21st. Really looking forward to it.
See you on the salt ... next time for me is at World of Speed. Sorry to
miss the SALT TALKS but I've run out of time and strength for the 3 1/2 hour
round trip to get there and the trip preparations too.
Wes
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