What is the latest on the new Speed Demon?

[Flipper_1938]

Anybody know what's up with the Speed Demon?  It ran at Speed Week, but it looked like they pulled the plug early.  I was waiting for it to make some hard passes at the shootout, but I don't think Poteet made the trip.

Is there a big issue with the new car?  I  want to see George make a serious attempt at 500 mph.

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Let me take a guess at why the Speed Demon team didn't run again after SpeedWeek.  What's to prove, at the potential expense of less-than-great salt giving false data on what the car needs to be developed further?  George's run of 442 got the team the Hot Rod trophy again, and waiting for a better course is prudent -- even if it does make some wonder why it didn't run more this year.

There's my 2 cents worth.

[Glen]

George didn't think the course was safe or long enough.

[Flipper_1938]

I managed to find out about an open house at george poteet's house to see the new speed demon.  George said when they built the new car, they moved the fuel cell rearward from where it was in the old car ....and they were having problems pumping the fuel to the motor when the car was accelerating really hard.

[trimmers]

The word that was circulating down on the salt at the Shootout was that they (with their available engines) had nothing to gain, as they already held the FIA records in the applicable classes.  So, why spend a bunch of money to do that on a less-than-perfect course?  It was the obvious choice.

[Ron Gibson]

IIRC A lomg long time ago I think Al had that fuel problem with Betsy. He moved the tank forward, problem solved.

Ron

[kiwi belly tank]

That was way back when Betsy had the turbo'd 392 with the fuel tank behind the engine, the wrong place for fuel when you need to move a lot of it.
  Sid. 

[dw230]

George and Ron plan on showing the new Speed Demon at the GNRS, Jan. 27-29. At the usual place.

DW

[Seldom Seen Slim]

The new #715 car was at the PRI but was pretty much fully clothed.  I didn't take any pics.

[Flipper_1938]

George made it sound like the tank was behind the motor on this car.

He said on the old car, he was basically sitting on the tank.  They moved the tank away from the drivers seat for safety.

He said this car went faster through mile 3 than the old car ever did by quite a bit...I don't remember the numbers but it was significant....like 30 mph faster.....and then the fueling issues showed up.

[edinlr]

I visited with George, Ron, & Ken at the PRI.  Everything was very casual with their car on display and no real agenda, so they were very easy to visit with.  They said the car is 800# lighter than the old design due to carbon body and removing the hydraulic lift system that was built in.  George said he barely needs a bump off of the line and the car now pulls very well.  It is interesting that they built the motor to produce 45 psi boost at sea level so that they could get 39-40 at Bonneville.  They said their 3000 horsepower in the shop worked out to 2500 on the salt.  Look for an A motor in the future and also see if they don't go after some gas records if they can get things to survive with 400 degree higher internal temps.

The new issue of Race Engine Technology #99 has a great story detailing the build of the Dart SBC and the components that were used in the build.

I am betting on this car to set a lot of records.

[cusco]

Just found that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkZcctxXP4E

[dw230]

Feb. 26th - MAVTV Dave Despain show, 5:30 PM PST

Ron Main in person discusses Speed Demon and salt issues.

DW

[rouse]

That's 7:30 PM over here in Texas, Have it set to record.

Rouse

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Not the Speed Demon, but since this topic is about George's car(s):