A Special Congratulations To Eric Burns and Tweety...

[Bret Kepner]

Well, we all had another epic trip to Bonneville and, like all who attended, I have a few hundred special memories but I want to make everybody aware of a monumental achievement by one of the LR.com board members.

Although seemingly only a handful of us pay attention to it, there has been a war raging in J/Production, (production vehicle under 46 cubic inches), for almost twenty years. When the record was finally pushed to 80 mph in 1990, there began a race to 100 MPH which included more than a half-dozen teams.

Eric Burns was one of those original teams with his yellow-and-black "Evil Tweety" '71 Honda Z600. He battled for the mark every year and, with Chris Clay, set the most recent record in '04 at 99.299. Prior to leaving this year, Eric left an ominous message about his poor chances to get the "magic mark" right here on LR.com, ( http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,4436.msg59237.html#msg59237 ), stating:

We are going - but I'm pretty skeptical on breaking the 100 MPH mark this trip.  Spent 3 hours on the dyno yesterday, ended up breaking some things  (which I'm half way through fixing) and not having any more horsepower than the last 2 trips. 

The last week has been one very long thrash . . . thanks to a piston company not coming through.  (Not only were they late, they made the wrong parts - which we couldn't use.)

On his first run on Monday morning, Eric blasted to 104.279 and returned Tuesday morning at 103.678. It's one of those moments which often gets lost on the scope of SpeedWeek but I wanted to be sure everybody knew about it. It was just as emotional as any other broken barrier achieved on the salt, (even I gave him a big hug before his return pass!), and it's an example of the determination and will of every salt racer in every class...even if it was achieved in a two-cylinder tin can! 

Here's a shot of Eric and Chris from the SCTA collection:

http://www.scta-bni.org/SCTA-NewWeb/Bonneville/SpeedWeek_08/photos/cars_5/8071.JPG

[wolcottjl]

Awesome, we have been watching his times for a while.  Here is one of the pics we took.

[John Noonan]

103.9785 average rocks!!

Way too go!!

Cool car and driver!!

J

[Evil Tweety]

Thanks Bret and everyone else that has posted on this topic!

I'm trying to get caught up at home before I post about all the challenges it took to make it out to Bonneville and actually run this year - before running I told a few folks in our camp how it felt like I was having to prove how bad I wanted this to happen.  It turned out to be the hardest I've ever worked to race, and also the best week ever out there.

We've been fortunate to go into impound several times - but I never knew how moving it would be to have other racers and spectators walk in and applaud as I was pushed in.

I'll follow up later with some more details - but thank you everyone!!!

[ol38y]

I was wondering how he did.

Congratulations

[Freud]

Many remember the thunder of a blown 500 inch fuel Hemi but the song of Evil Tweety is unique and just as rewarding to Eric as the sound of an engine that burns fuel that costs $55/gallon.
It takes the same dedication to break 100 MPH as it does to break 300. 100% is all that is possible...no matter what class.
Great job, Eric.

FREUD

[hotrod]

I as well have spent time carefully listening to the times for Evil tweety hoping to hear he ran the magic 100+ times. The road less traveled is just as rewarding and takes just as much effort as the big blocks and as Freud, mentions the distant song of the Tweety bird is part of Bonneville and we all send our virtual pat of the back for a job well done and worthy goal accomplished.

My brother had a little Honda 600 back in the the 1970's and his wife got tired of being tail gated by truckers, so she put a little sign on her CB antenna that had an arrow pointing down, and said simply "car". So every time I heard the Tweety run I was hoping he would pull out that Century+ record run he was shooting for.

Larry

[mj43]

We have been watching Tweety's progress from over here in a very damp UK.

Congratulations from Ursula and all at Team Sparrow - hopefully see you next year

[dwarner]

An effort like Eric's and his team shows that our friend Franklin was so very wrong when he opined that LSR was dead due to the fact that no 400 MPH tires were available in the recent past.

Job well done,
DW

[Evil Tweety]

I said last year that I'd respond with more details of the trip, but things have gotten away from me.  Between school, family and work there's too much going on.

I know that there are a lot of great stories of the challenges folks overcome to make it to Bonneville, be it to race or even be a spectator.  Not to lose sight of what it takes to set a record out there.

I'm caught up in that last minute thrash to get the engine done, and got delayed again - turns out the piston company sent the wrong rings for the second time.  The correct ones should be in today.

I wanted to write a bit about what happened last year.  Hopefully it can be some motivation for those of you still thrashing, or a just a mere mile below your goal.

As many of you know, we had been chasing the century mark for several years.  In 2004 during the World Finals my dad and I got in a 101.5 mph run.  The back up run was only enough to put us at 99.299.  So close!  The next three years we arrived on the salt with more horsepower but where plagued by gremlins and the various unknowns that only pop up on the salt.  We never saw triple digits during that time.

For 2008 I had tracked down a head with a much smaller combustion chamber, so we were having customs pistons made that would have a good burn pattern and get the compression up higher.  The order got lost at the company, and for a long time it was "they will be shipped next week."  The week before Speed Week they were supposed to be delivered on Saturday.  Mike, my sponsor, called up the shipping company to see if he could meet the truck somewhere earlier on the route rather than wait until 2 or 3 PM.  When he did hook up with the driver he got a surprise - they had shipped them COD Cash/Cashiers check only - even though he was in great standing with the piston company and had done lots of business.  Plus the price was much much higher than what we had been quoted.  So he called me up to be sure I still wanted to go through with it and then rushed off to the bank.  (If they'd shown up at his office Saturday he would not have had that kind of cash on hand.)

Got them to the shop, unwrapped them and they were beautiful!  One small problem . . . the Honda has mirrored pistons . . . and the company had made all 4 the same side.  (Plus they sent the wrong rings, but that didn't matter at this point.)  So Mike took my old pistons and milled off a quarter inch of the top. Sanded off the edge and cleaned 'em up before saying "Here you go Eric, it's the best we can do!"  We never checked the compression, but I'm sure it was plenty good.  So he helped me put the engine together Saturday and I spent several days getting it into the car and hooking up the different fuel injection for the different layout. 

On Friday we were at the Dyno for tuning - planning to pack the car and leave at 10PM that night.  Around 4:30, with maybe two runs to go we still had less power than I'd had the 3 previous years.  On that run there was a loud bang, lots of smoke and oil.  There was a big hole in the case . . . not good.

So we towed the car home and that evening I pulled the engine out.  Spent Saturday rebuilding it and getting it back in.  We ended up leaving Saturday night.  As we came up on Sacramento around 8PM traffic came to a full stop.  We sat for an hour while ambulances and firetrucks and highway patrol wizzed by on the side.  Found a couple of days later what had happened.  One of those events that puts your life in perspective.  Some fellow decided to try and cross 80 for some reason and got hit by a car.  He didn't survive.

Around 5:00 the next morning we were out in the middle of no where.  Chris (the crew chief and driver at times) was at the wheel and I was asleep.  I awoke to the Suburban swerving all over the place.  I thought he had fallen asleep, so I'm flailing my arms yelling "are you awake?  are you awake?"  Turns out we'd lost a front tire at a good 70+.  But it was early in the morning and there was no traffic around us.  So we made it with out hitting anyone else or rolling the whole rig.  (Chris is a salesman and does a lot of traveling - he knew what to do and how to handle things.  I'm glad I wasn't at the wheel.)  So we got out the jack and swapped out tires.

Later as we were coming up on Wendover a motorcycle pulled along side of us.  It was my friend Ken who helps to crew on the car.  He waved then pulled back in behind us.  As we pulled off the exit for Wendover steam started coming out from under the hood and  the temperature gage maxed out.  So we pulled into the Pilot to find a blown small hose.  Ken rode down to the parts store and got some hose, and we repaired the car in the parking lot.  Again - lucky this happened where it did.

After the repair we headed out to the salt to get in line for tech.  When I got the car up there I was told the head restraints didn't meet the current requirements and I couldn't race with out getting some 3/16" bar stock and making repairs.  (It's for my safety I know - but I had installed the exact Kirky part that they told me to get when in tech the year before.  Just gotta rant one more time about that.)  So we got on the CB, called out to the pits to see if anyone had bar stock.  Several racers responded with questions for more details on what I needed - but no one had anything.  One person did suggest the garbage dump out on the edge of the salt.  So we grabbed the sawzall and 2 batteries and headed out there.  There was some angle iron that could be made to work.  So I drained the two batteries cutting off the parts we could use.

The next day we drove around Wendover trying to find someone with bar stock (would make it easier) or someone that could cut the metal we had found.  No real luck.  As we passed out by the salt plant we saw some contractors doing some fabrication work.  I walked up with the metal and explained that we were trying to fix a car, and asked if they could make some cuts for us.  No problem!  So they cut it up real quick.  I pulled out my wallet and offered to buy them lunch for their time as we cooled the parts with some water.  They declined, but we were sure to thank them several times.

When we got back into the pits nobody in my group wanted to do the welding to put things together.  Several sort of knew how to weld, but didn't want to be responsible for something safety related.  I can respect that - there's a lot at stake, folks have died on the salt at 80 mph.  At one point this tall fellow (who I didn't recognize) walks up to me and says "Hi, I'm with so-and-so and so-and-so (two names I didn't recognize either) - anything I can do to help?"  I'm not the best person for asking for help - so I told him no - that we just needed to weld a few parts and get back in line for tech.  He shrugged his shoulders and said "I'm a fabricator, all I do is weld."  Yes!!!!

So he got to welding and made up a perfect piece to handle the head restraints.  Turns out the two names he had mentioned were a few fellows that had been with a team I helped the year before.  I like the electromotive system, and have helped several people out there - it's the least I can do with what so many others have done for me.

At this point I commented to my friend Pat (who introduced me to this heavenly sport) how this was the hardest I'd ever had to work to even just race.  I said I felt like I was having to prove that I really wanted this.

As we were about to go get back in line for tech, and inspector came over to inspect the car next to us.  (Same issue - too much movement in the head restraints.)  I asked if he could take a quick look at ours - no problem!  So he reached into the car to check how it was attached, then gave the new part a real good push and pull - it didn't move so we were told it was safe! 

At 3:00 you just know you aren't going to get a run in that day.  But with the two short courses (thank you everyone for that!!!!) we were staging to run pretty quick.  Since in my mind we had less horsepower I figured we were just out to have fun and learn more on the car.  I'd told several folks (including Bret) that we weren't going to up the record this season, it was just for fun.  (Bret's booming voice in years past scarred the heck out of me the first few times he yelled across the salt asking why we hadn't done it yet.  He helped keep me motivated, that's for sure!)

With the electromotive system you can have a dial to tune fuel or spark curve while the car is running.  But there's a bug in our system where if you try to tune both the data logging won't work.  So for the past years I'd play with one or the other while making runs.  Since we didn't stand a chance I figured the heck with logging - I set up both dials figuring I'd see what happened.  On the dyno you give it more fuel, get it tuned, then add more spark, then repeat the fuel tuning.  I figured what the heck, let's do that on the run.  So once I was nearing the peak in 4th gear I gave her more spark - and she pulled harder.  More fuel, more spark, more fuel, more spark . . .  until she started to lean over a bit.  Backed it back off and just kept going.

She ran like I'd never experience before.  I pulled over and undid my gear as best I could with my shaking hands.  My legs were weak as I leaned against the car.  When Chris came up with the Suburban he signed "104" to me.  Now folks, I'm tearing up right now a bit as I write this.  After the birth of my son this has to be the most moving experience of my life.  And it's a different kind of moving.  (When you get married, you know what is going to happen when.  You plan for months, and it's pretty much for sure that things will fall into place.  Hopefully my saint of a wife doesn't read this . . . )  We spent several years trying to make this happen.  Had lots of folks help, got lots of support and interest from the other racers and the spectators.  (I'm talking about the record, not my son!)

I yelled,  I jumped for joy, I danced a little jig.  I cried a bit, then got down on my knees and said a quick prayer and thank you for the experience.  (I think this was the point Bret pulled up to congratulate us . . . )

We celebrated briefly on the return road before loading up and pushing the car into impound.  As we pulled in several other racers and spectators came out clapping - which also was very flattering and very touching.

We backed it up the next day, with a 103.9 two way average.

I wanted to share this not to toot my own horn so to speak, but to share something that can hopefully motivate the other folks out there struggling to make it happen.  Don't give up, don't lose faith.

And a big thank you to all the SCTA-BNI folks that make all of this happen.  You don't get thanked enough, and you probably don't realize just how many people you are affecting and how many lives you are changing.

[Evil Tweety]

Oh, and my rings won't be in until tomorrow . . . just a few days and counting . . .

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Wonderful, Eric, just wonderful.  You paid your dues, in spades, and you got your rewards.  And by declaring that you'll return the favors -- you're become an honest-to-goodness land speed racer.  It's not the absolute speed number that counts -- it's the excitement of getting it done.

Congratulations!

[Freud]

Why the hell should I tear up over a d a m n e d 600cc Honda? I have no idea, but I did.

I think Bret did also..........

Thanks Tweet.

FREUD

[Glen]

In my many years in the timing trailer I have seen many tears on both sides of a speed number. With todays modern timing equipment and vehicle displays on the screen I know what record each are running on. We in timing have our moments and know what everyone is trying to achieve. There is a cheering section you wouldn't believe in that big box in the center. We don't know each one of you as there are many trying to do the same thing. But when that magic moment happens regardless of the speed we are the first to know and my words are take it to impound.

We ride with each of you during your runs. Our rewards are many and we love the job. The three courses have added more to our daily jobs. But we volunteer to these positions just as every worker on the salt.
Salt fever is the addiction, speed is the game. the first goal you set is a forever memory. As the meet gets closer the days seem to get longer as you all know. The minute you drive on the salt and head  for the pits many new and old friendships happen and when you go home a lot of thoughts go through your mind as you prepair for the next year. Looking forward to seeing all of you next week on our Mecca.

[Evil Tweety]

In my many years in the timing trailer I have seen many tears on both sides of a speed number. With todays modern timing equipment and vehicle displays on the screen I know what record each are running on. We in timing have our moments and know what everyone is trying to achieve. There is a cheering section you wouldn't believe in that big box in the center. We don't know each one of you as there are many trying to do the same thing. But when that magic moment happens regardless of the speed we are the first to know and my words are take it to impound.

We ride with each of you during your runs. Our rewards are many and we love the job. The three courses have added more to our daily jobs. But we volunteer to these positions just as every worker on the salt.
Salt fever is the addiction, speed is the game. the first goal you set is a forever memory. As the meet gets closer the days seem to get longer as you all know. The minute you drive on the salt and head  for the pits many new and old friendships happen and when you go home a lot of thoughts go through your mind as you prepair for the next year. Looking forward to seeing all of you next week on our Mecca.

I think the next car we run needs to have a radio in it.   We smile every time we hear it for someone else . . . would be something to hear it on your own run!

And I've got several forever memories thanks to the salt and everyone that makes it happen.