Bucket List Dream team Looking for Partner for 2012

[Avanti Dan]

The Bucket List Dream Team featuring the record setting 1963 Studebaker Avanti (formally the Burke Bros Avanti) would like to return to Bonneville this year to celebrate 50 years of racing with this car. This is a significant milestone for any Bonneville campaigned race car. Because of the history of this car and the records that have been set over the years it seems fitting to work hard to find a way to bring the car out so that others can enjoy the memories. After lovingly restoring the car in 2009 and having it serve as a platform to help cancer patient Dan Sallia fight the battle this would be a good next step for the car. The car is currently and will officially be placed "For Sale" at the end of race season and hopefully will find a racer who will continue the traditions.

A brief overview of the cars history. Purchased new from Studebaker in the Summer of 1962 by Bill Burke of Hot Rod magazine fame it was delivered to the offices of Hot rod on November 8, 1962. In August of 1963 Bill raced the Avanti at Bonneville and set the first of over 30 records averaging 147.63 miles per hour. The car set faster records each year and in 1972 broke the 200 MPH record mark for the first time. They never looked back again. There are currently three records that are still on the books set by this car. Bonneville C/CBFA at 239.208 set in 1979 with Steve Burke at the wheel. El Mirage E/CBFA at 202.383 in 1977 and E/BFCC at 210.770 in 1981 with Mike Cook at the wheel. Mike and his dad (Doug) campaigned this car in the seventies. Many will remember the "California Sunshine" when they raced it.


The team is currently exploring partnership possibilities and are open to discuss any and all options. The car will accept just about any engine although a Chrysler Hemi would be preferred as that is what was used from 1972 until 2004. If you would like to discuss helping the team get the car to Speed Week this year please contact Dan Sallia at dsallia@yahoo.com. See you on the salt.

[sabat]

Great story and car, best of luck in your search.

[Avanti Dan]

Thank you. It has been a real blessing to be a part of the history of this car. Time for me to pay it forward before the next chapter is written.
Dan

[Richie]

how fast with  a 355  sb chevy making around 450 hp ?     
 
what trans and rear gears would you run ?   

[Avanti Dan]

Richie,
We went 160 with about 375HP in 2010 so I would have to guess about 180 to 190. Does the engine have a supercharger or turbo? Normally aspirated engines lose about 20% of the HP at Bonneville. I have a Borg Warner T10 wide ratio transmission in the car and would just need to change from a Studebaker to a Chevy bellhousing. I have both 2.75 gears (currently in the car) and a set of 3.0's. The car has a 28 spline 9" Ford differential.
Dan 

[Richie]

Dan,
      we ran 128 in the 1/4 with it using victor jr. manifold ,750 street demon carb and sportsman 2 cast iron heads using a saturday night special cam ... that was with the car wieghing 2450# and 4:86 rear gear... 170 would qualify for a run on the long course, what kinda money does it cost to qualify to run for a record ? 

on the carb setup , would you think it would be better to run efi system?   or would the difference be worth the $

[Avanti Dan]

Richie,

That sounds like a good engine that makes decent power. Without a blower you have to find other ways to make up for the lack of oxygen at altitude. Most guys run 12to 1 or 13 to 1 compression and free flowing heads. If you look at the unblown records you can see that it can be done without boost but it takes a lot more money to make it happen.

Yes, the 170 run would get it to the long course.

Here's the deal. A 355 CID engine puts you in the "C" engine class. The record in the unblown gas Altered class is 245 mph and in fuel 243 mph. in Gas Coupe it's 228 mph. So with your engine we would be a long way off the record. But it's not all about records. It's about the experience and fun. The guys out there doing it for fun and on a budget seem to be having a great time. The guys chasing a record over 200 are working too hard to have fun until it's all over. In this type of racing as in most it's the details that will hurt you.

As far as costs go it depends on the goals and the accommodations. If you stay in a motel it's about 230 or more per night. If you camp at bend in the road it's free. Since I have my camper my wife and I can keep it cheap. Gas looks like it will be $5.00 per gallon by summer. 800 miles each way from here. 425.00 to register before May 15th. Add 200.00 after that. Grocery prices are comparable to here. I bring the compact BBQ and of course sandwiches during the day. Racing gas was 10.00 a gallon last year. Ice was about 3.00 a bag. Showers at the truck stop are clean and were 7.00 last year. Most people figure about 3,000.00 to 4,000.00 for the trip motelling it. So if you pick your options the costs can vary a lot.
Dan 

[John Noonan]

Richie,

That sounds like a good engine that makes decent power. Without a blower you have to find other ways to make up for the lack of oxygen at altitude. Most guys run 12to 1 or 13 to 1 compression and free flowing heads. If you look at the unblown records you can see that it can be done without boost but it takes a lot more money to make it happen.

Yes, the 170 run would get it to the long course.

Here's the deal. A 355 CID engine puts you in the "C" engine class. The record in the unblown gas Altered class is 245 mph and in fuel 243 mph. in Gas Coupe it's 228 mph. So with your engine we would be a long way off the record. But it's not all about records. It's about the experience and fun. The guys out there doing it for fun and on a budget seem to be having a great time. The guys chasing a record over 200 are working too hard to have fun until it's all over. In this type of racing as in most it's the details that will hurt you.

As far as costs go it depends on the goals and the accommodations. If you stay in a motel it's about 230 or more per night. If you camp at bend in the road it's free. Since I have my camper my wife and I can keep it cheap. Gas looks like it will be $5.00 per gallon by summer. 800 miles each way from here. 425.00 to register before May 15th. Add 200.00 after that. Grocery prices are comparable to here. I bring the compact BBQ and of course sandwiches during the day. Racing gas was 10.00 a gallon last year. Ice was about 3.00 a bag. Showers at the truck stop are clean and were 7.00 last year. Most people figure about 3,000.00 to 4,000.00 for the trip motelling it. So if you pick your options the costs can vary a lot.
Dan 

Wow 170 miles an hour puts you on the long course now, times must be tough a serious sign of the bad economy.


J

[Avanti Dan]

Oppps! John's right I messed up. It takes 175 to run the long course. I was thinking of World of Speed. That is where we ran the last two years. So Richie you would need a few more HP to get there.
Dan

[Richie]

i had fiqured it up once it'd cost me around 2,000$ in gas 1 way driving out there ... so i'd defenitly be in a tent , well my top speed in the 1/4 is 136 if i can better that i'd be  .  They let you run just for fun right.
Good Luck Dan and thanks for the info

[Stainless1]

Just so there is no confusion, a vehicle is required to average 175 MPH or more between the 2 and 2 1/4 mile markers to qualify for the long course at any SCTA venue on the salt.  Get a rule book and read it over and over, even if you are not building the car, you need to be familiar with all the rules
There are other competition options at the USFRA WoS Meet
130 Club..... the Avanti is probably over qualified for that one
160 Club..... probably a good fit for your combo

I would guess that it will take 750 or so HP to be competitive in C motor classes

But you can run for fun at Speedweek, lots of folks run for personal best and to see how fast they can make a car go.  Don't worry, the experience will be worth the price of admission. 
The Avanti is a proven stable platform ....

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Dang, Stainless -- I'm gonna try out for that brand-new event -- the 160 Club.  What'll have to be changed for those that used to run in the 150 Club?

[Avanti Dan]

Not that we might all be getting older but we sure seem to be having problems remembering numbers for some reason. LOL Doesn't do much good to read and re-read the rule book if I can't seem to remember what it said LOL. After John posted about 170 I had to go and look up the course section of the rule book to be sure I didn't screw up again. Man I miss my memory or do I? Where was I?

Utah Salt Flats Racing Association, World of Speed runs the 130 and 150 clubs. 130 is for basically street cars. 150 adds a roll bar and other safety stuff but still streetable cars run that one. The Avanti is too modified for those classes. You can go to the USFRA web site and the rules for those clubs are available in pdf form so you can read or print them. Pretty basic stuff compared to competition rules for SCTA.

At Speed Week you could install your engine and then run just to see how fast you could make it go. Run for fun as you put it. You might consider taking your car and changing the rear gears and running in the 130 or 150 club.

$2,000.00 for gasoline for the trip? Yikes what do you drive? Where do you live? Our 1800 mile trip towing the trailer and all the gear was about $750 in gas last year. Another $100 for race gas for the car. The main thing to remember is Bonneville is a place you will never forget so in my opinion you can't put a price on the experience you will have. The cars and trucks you will see and the people you will meet are priceless!
Dan

[Richie]

Dan,
   I meant $2000 round trip, its over 2300 mles 1 way... it's a 454 dually
 
do you have to be a club member to run or can you just show up and get in line

[Avanti Dan]

Richie,
The registered car owner/s and all drivers must be either SCTA or BNI members. By the way SCTA dues need to be paid by the end of the month. Then you need to fill out the registration to race form which is on the SCTA site. That includes paying the race fee which is $425.00 if you pay by May 10th. $625.00 if you pay after that date. So if you are seriously considering doing this you might want get your fees paid before the deadlines. While your on the SCTA web site be sure and order the new for 2012 Rule Book. It is the guide book for building an SCTA legal vehicle. Lots of rules and lots of classes to race in. As a rookie the hardest part for me was deciding which class to run in. My decision was made easier by the car I was loaned. It only fell into three catagories.

That's a long haul but if you make the journey you won't regret it.