Here's Dan Warner's "Impound Insights" from the recent EM event:
Impound Insights - June 13-14, 2015
Following a controversial cancellation of the May meet by the BLM the racers and officials were looking forward to an epic June event.
Hot, low 100 degree temps greeted everyone on Friday for the tech inspection. These temps continued throughout the weekend making for some uncomfortable hours. But, if nothing else our competitors are resilient and the meet went forward with much success.
The El Mirage 200 MPH Club inducted five new members. First up was Tim Cox driving the BC Racing Camero in the AA/CBGC class. Tim broke the 210 MPH class minimum with a fine 212 speed. Tim's mate, Roger Beckman, then took a turn at the wheel and bumped the record to 220.8 MPH range. Roger added the club's Merlot colored hat to the bright red hat he earned at Bonneville a few years ago. Bill Kennedy, who has been running for years, finally made his goal. A club hat awarded him for a great 203 MPH run in his C/GT Corvette. Steve Moody had his opportunity to drive the Maraini Farms E/BGMR and made the best of it by posting a class record of 229+ MPH. Sunday brought intermittent wind gusts in addition to the high temperatures. The weather did not deter Dave Consalvo arrived from Galt, CA with his Consalvo & Leverone 1350-APS-G Suzuki and bumped the class record to 207. The swirling dust at the during the certification process could not wipe the smile.
The final count was 26, two pending, broken into 16 cars and 10 motorcycles. First up for the cars was
the 2014 season champions Lattin & Stevens running the XF/VOT class. Young Billy Lattin was the shoe and set the record at 147 using the Jimmie Stevens prepped flathead. Derek McLeish drove the Team McLeish Bros. Triumph GT6 coupe to the H/BGMS record of 181 MPH. Doug Macmillan now has driving chores in the Ferguson-Macmillan F/BFS streamliner. Doug ran a class record of 237.4 MPH. Eddie Umland used his Eddie's Chop Shop B/BGRMR to rest the class record to 236.3 MPH. Eddie has taken to LSR in a way I have rarely seen. He told of a customer's Comp Coupe to be ready for Speed Week and his streamliner under construction. Neil McAlister ran the BMR Ferguson Racing XXF/BVFCC to a record speed of 178 MPH, over 18 mph on the minimum of 160. Greg Waters was in the Waters/Manghelli/Romero '29 Ford roadster. A new belly pan and rear axle assembly were among the modifications made during the off season. Greg set the F/BFMR record to 208.4 MPH. The #500 Studebaker of Arnold/Leggitt/Salkins with Les Leggitt Hemi power reset the B/CBFAlt record to 235 with Brandon Leggitt driving. A Bob Brissette engine motivates the Fenn & Brissette B/GL. Driven by Ed Fenn the class record was upped to 237.2 MPH. The H/BStr of the Bob Sights Jr, driver, and family has been renamed the Udder de Lite. Bob Jr. rest the class record to 159 MPH. Bob Sights Jr. then jumped into his own ON Line Racing G/BGMR and moved the record to 182.7 MPH. Tracer Racing out of Modesto, CA came back with their F/DT, a Mercedes diesel powered Dodge Dakota, and set the record at 138 with Doug Peek driving. The little Suburu coupe of Larry 'Axle' Foley known as Notabusa(Kawasaki powered) set the I/FCC record with son Larry Foley Jr. driving. Jim Hoogerhyde wedged himself into the Costella-Hoogerhyde I/FL and set another record at 186 MPH. Jim plans to be over 200 MPH by the end of the season.
The motorcycle impound presented 10 certification cards. The first of which belonged to Dave Iverson. Dave rode his Dave Iverson Knuckle entered 1000-SC-VG Harley to a record speed of 116.7 MPH. Alp Sungurtekin rode a very good record speed of 149.2 MPH on his Alp Racing and Design Triumph in the 650-A-PF class. Ralph LeClercq had a turn on the throttle of the Team McLeish RS entered 125-APS-BG bike running a fine 107.8 record. Billy Jahn entered the 125-P-P class and set the record at 96.9 MPH.
Jim Robinson was in the 1000-A-VF class and set the bar to 141.3 MPH. Ralph Hudson, last season champion, entered two bikes. His 1000-APS-BF entry ran a 235.9 record speed. The entry in the 650-APS-BG class set the record at 183 MPH. Ralph will be tough to beat at season's end once again. The Mackie Welding Special ridden by Mark Summitt in the 350-A-PF class set a record speed of 114 MPH. Tim Cunha was in another Jack Costella creation. The Costella, Cunha & Bassano 1000-SCS-G entry was at 173 MPH record speed.
Top Speed of the Meet for the cars was Dave Davidson in the Cummins, Beck, Davidson, Thornsberry C/BFMR at a speed of 245.6 MPH. John Noonan rode his John "Big Balls' Noonan entry to a speed of 250.5 MPH to set top time for the bikes.
The July event is quickly approaching. Wishing everyone a safe and fast meet.
Dan Warner
Record Certification Officer
