In a message dated 8/20/2006 6:28:34 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time,
mactem@mebtel.net writes:
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g128/mactem/Bonneville%2006/1628000-R2
-039-18.jpg
Sparky, and list, OK, I'll try it again. I think the last post didn't
work. I'm better with a wrench than a computer.
David
Gee David, thanks for the "publicity"!
My first experience at Bonneville was VERY "enlightening"!!! I successfully
made it through tech and licensing through "A" category. Along the way I
learned;
1. Salt is very "slippery" compared to asphalt.
2. At over 200 the steering is VERY sensitive.
3. Ruts and soft spots in the track tend to upset the stability of the car,
big time!
4. A car that was designed to be very low tends to bottom out on the track
when down force comes into play. This unloaded the suspension and throws the
car out of control.
5. If the crew recommends checking tire pressure, don't go over and kick the
tires and announce, "they're just fine". I made two white knuckle nail
biting runs with 18 and 20# in the rears!!! Very squirley oddly enough.
6. All the SCTA officials were VERY helpful every step of the way, as were
all the racers I talked with.
7. If the quick change has too tall a gear, the car won't accelerate much in
4th gear.
8. It's possible to wear a set of $1000 Bonneville tires to the threads in 8
runs if you aren't smart enough to realize you're spinning the tires most of
the track.
9. At times the umbrella lady is the most important crew member.
And the number 10 amazing discovery, the restaurant at the Salt Flats exit
has excellent Mexican food at a very reasonable price...
All in all, I learned a ton of information, met a lot of great people and
even though I only ran a squirley 222 on a 272 record, I loved racing on the
salt and will return much smarter and hopefully faster.
Although I tried, I personally couldn't thank all the volunteers that make
racing on the salt possible so I would like to extend my heart felt thanks to
all of them here! Without them we wouldn't be out there.
Otto
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