Here's Dan's wrap up:
Impound Insights - July 17, 2016
The inspection lines were greeted with strong winds all day. The feeling of the racers who were in attendance was that Sunday would bring a big tail wind. To everyone's surprise Sunday was mild by comparison although the temps were in the low 90s. The entry list was pretty low, in the middle 80s, with many reporting that they were saving their hot rods and bikes for Speed Week.
The El Mirage 200 MPH Club had two new members added. The first was Nathan Stewart driving the Skip Pipes Racing F/BGR entry to a fine 206 against the old 201 class record. I recall Nathan as a babe in arms many years ago. His record run came on his 35th birthday. Second we find new driver Eddie Marlen in the BMR C/FR with a hot 254 speed. Outstanding run for Eddie and the team. Driver coach Alan Fogliadini had tears in his eyes as his boy "done good".
The rest of the record count was pretty low, with 8 records for cars and 6 for bikes, as the course went away early. As a matter of fact we were done with round two around 2:30 PM. In time for me to join my wife at the winery to close out our 33rd anniversary weekend.
The remaining 6 car records went something like this. The Brant Speranza McLeish J/GS upped their record from May to 176 with Dave Brant at the wheel. Mark Vigeant once again was in the cockpit of the Rice Vigeant J/BGL for another record at 183 MPH. Cal Rothe took over from Scott Goetz this month in the Aardema Braun Lattin F/FRMR for a fast 186 record. The Lattin Stevens team did some engine swapping, putting their record setting flathead into Jimmy Stevens roadster. Entering XF/BSTR class Billy Lattin set a new mark at 165. Neil McAlister continues in the old BMR Racing '32 coupe. Using a blower, Ferguson OHV conversion heads and a much better tuneup according to Dad Alan Neil was able to run a record of 191 in the XXF/BVFALT class. Seems 200 MPH is not far away. The final car record was the Hondta CRX driven by Aaron Hale. A small G, 122 cid, engine pulled the Honda coupe down the track in the G?BGCC class at 204 MPH.
The bikes had a total of six records headed by fearless John Noonan. I know John is fearless because he entered as Noonan's Naked and Not Afraid in the 1650-A-BG class. John ran a super 243 record this meet. On the tiny engine side Derek Mcleish rode the Team McLeish HD in the 50-A-VF class to a 58 MPH record. Alp Sungrtekin was on his 650-A-VF Triumph. Riding for Alp Racing and Design he was able to set a 169.9 record. Tim Cunha continues to set records with the Costella Cunha & Bassano 1000-SCS-F, this month at 191. Randy Speranza is back on the lake bed with his 2000-SC-PG Harley. Randy was able to set the class record to 167 MPH. Chris Rivas is on a roll, setting yet another record on his 3000-APS-PBF Chris Rivas V-Twin. This event he recorded a great 222.9 MPH.
The mid season is upon us. This year we get to retrun to the salt with much anticipation. For all of you who are joning the SCTA on the salt next month we wish you good luck. Please have a safe, fast Speed Week and we will carry on at El Mirage on Sept 11th.
Dan Warner
Record Certification officer