Well said, Glen!
I was passing through Klamath Falls on my way back from Bend to Redding
this afternoon. I didn't expect to be coming back that soon so I didn't
take the address and directions to the church where the funeral was
held. I did my best to find out, but 1:30 arrived and I hadn't found the
info, so I ate lunch and came on home.
Tom, Redding CA - #216 D/FCC
Glen Barrett wrote:
> Today my friend Carl Heap is being laid to rest. I met Carl several years ago
> when he and Bob Slagel came to the salt with what is now the famous Phoenix
> record setting truck. This pair of racers went out of their way to comply to
> the demands of SCTA and our requirements for safety.
>
> Running a truck of this nature was an unknown to all of us. No one expected
> much to come of this vehicle as it was a new venture into landspeed racing.
> There were many special concerns with a vehicle of this size running at high
> speeds. Bob and Carl were far ahead of us in their planning.
>
> When this vehicle started reaching speeds at over 200mph we were in awe of
> what they were doing. Along the way there were problems with tires blowing and
> they had had the foresight to plan for this. They had two large skis mounted
> under the front axle of the truck to prevent it from digging into the salt, it
> worked well and the truck stopped without problems and left only a small gouge
> in the salt.
>
> They were very innovative with the development of this vehicle. We lost Bob a
> few years ago and now we have lost Carl. These two people were true racers and
> two of the funniest people I ever met. It was never dull around the Phoenix
> crew. They were so laid back and enjoying every moment of their time on the
> salt, they always had time to talk to anyone that stopped by.
>
> What a wonderful friend we had in Carl. I have had the honor to time every run
> of the Phoenix and when they made the record setting runs we were part of it.
> The 285 mph terminal speed was the talk of the day. It was right up there with
> all of the big guns. They achieved what will take a long time for some one to
> challenge in the world of landspeed racing.
>
> Carl will be missed but never forgotten. We are all with him in his final
> journey today. GOD SPEED CARL,
>
> Glen Barrett
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