Author Topic: Ackattack in Bolivia  (Read 100949 times)

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Offline ack

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Ackattack in Bolivia
« on: February 20, 2017, 06:26:23 PM »
The Top 1 Ackattack will be attempting to set a new FIM land speed record July 12th through the 15th of this year at the Salar De Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia.  Although I initially thought the wind on the flats would prevent us from running there I found the weather station at the Uyuni airport, which I was monitoring, does not accurately reflect the wind on the flats. In fact the wind is almost always calm on the flats from May through October the winter months and the annual precipitation between May and October is 0%.
Mike Cook, Frank Ryan from Top 1 Oil and Andre Rodrigues who organized the October 2016 event will travel to Uyuni in mid-March to meet with officials and layout the location of the course of 15 miles with 13 miles being the minimum length we would require.
This will be an FIM sanctioned private event however if there are competitors that are interested in running there we would be open to inviting them to participate. Triumph maybe or open wheel? There has been some interest expressed by several car owners we would have no objection if any cars would like to participate.

Following is our current planning worksheet:

Solar De Uyuni FIM Motorcycle Land Speed Attempt July 12th up to the 17th if needed 2017.

Contact Andreea Ma about shipping to Uyuni
40 foot container ship to Lquique Chile Looks like 19 days Oakland to Lquique Arrange truck to transport container to from port to Uyuni or other location near Uyuni Arrange Customs clearance in Chile and Bolivia
Obtain Carnet for ACK Attack and Carnet for equipment if required

Andreea Ma
Schaefer Trans Inc.
2121 Rosecrans Ave, suite 3345
El Segundo, CA 90245
Phone: (310)-649-6381

Update:  Looks like Andreea has arranged for shipment to Lquique and Uyuni no Carnet needed

Ask Andre to begin working with Bolivian authorities on obtaining permission to run on the salt flat in coordination with his event.

Update:  Andre has received permission from the authorities to make the attempt at Uyuni

Arrange for a push vehicle that we can attach our push bar mount on for the event

Update: Andre will bring his SUV as a push vehicle.

Find out if we can use our radio repeater and hand held radios Start looking for a licensed surveyor in Uyuni or surrounding area. Arrange for FIM and other officials to attend meet.

Update: Charlie Hennekam is arranging for the FIM and local officials needed for the event.
Update: Drew Gatewood has indicated he would attend as the FIM Technical inspector but need to check with his doctor before going to 12,000 feet. Rex Svoboda is willing to go if Drew can't. 

Make arrangements with James and Alan Rice to time the event and equipment we will need to take

Update: Alan Rice will be providing the timing equipment that we will take with us he or James will bring backup equipment when they fly in to time the event.

Find out if we can bring our own fuel (Sunoco SR18) or obtain it from a dealer in Chile
Av.Recoleta 418 interior, Santiago de Chile. Teléfono: 56 9 77744220,  ventas@iecopan.cl

Update: Andreea says we will be able to bring our own fuel in the container.


Coordinate with Mike Cook equipment needed to layout and operate track
Course mile markers
Course line making equipment
Radio repeater and handhelds
Jaws of life and other safety equipment
Drag if needed

Early March 2017 Send Frank Ryan,Mike Cook and Andre Rodrigues to Uyuni to Scout location for race track and verify we can have at least 13 miles of good salt Make arrangements for lodging and transportation during event
Decide where the container will be received and make arrangements to move it to the salt
Determine who will provide fire and EMT services at the track
Find someone to provide porta potty’s at track site
See what arrangements can be made to have workers stationed along track. Military? or Police? See if Air force can provide medevac helicopter if needed and how quickly
Find reliable person willing to stay with equipment at the salt at night.
Check to see if we can use our hand held radios and the repeater.

Update: Frank Ryan making travel arrangements for the group.
Update: March 20th is the travel date.

Obtain Visas for all people going all passports must be sent to Bolivian Embassy

Update: Yellow Fever shots needed 10 days before travel

Make air fare arrangements SFO to LaPaz is $750-$800 RT Coach

ACK Attack crew 9-10 people
Rocky 4 people
Mike Cook 1 or 2 people

John or Allan Rice 1 Person

Brian Lecky TBD

Update: Brian is working with Pioneer Productions to produce a documentary program for a major cable broadcaster.

Update: Discovery and History are not commissioning one off documentary programs at this time Brian looking at other options.

Utopia is producing a program for National Geographic and is interested in filming in Bolivia it would be a segment of an hour program in a series.

July 7th Mike Cook and others needed for track prep arrive in Uyuni

July 10th all other crew arrive

July 12th event starts.

Offline manta22

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Re: Ackattack in Bolivia
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2017, 09:12:55 PM »
Iquique is spelled with an I, not an L. - pronounced "EE-KEE-KAY".

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ
Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

Offline manta22

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Re: Ackattack in Bolivia
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2017, 09:21:39 PM »
If you are in Iquique for lunch or dinner, try the Casino Espanol, or the restaurant at the Hotel Gavina. A short trip inland to the abandoned nitrate works of Santa Laura is worthwhile, too.

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ
Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

Offline TrickyDicky

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Re: Ackattack in Bolivia
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2017, 04:36:48 AM »
Sounds like the sort of event Guy Martin (plus film crew) would be up for.  Unless he already has commitments at that time.

And Valerie?

Offline trimmers

  • Jeff in Boise
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Re: Ackattack in Bolivia
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2017, 07:44:45 PM »
I'm out doing airplane inspections in Chico, CA.  I emailed an ELT question to Mike Akatiff (his company makes 'em), and he also provided the following update on Bolivia earlier today: "Mike Cook and others in Bolivia they met yesterday with the vice president of Bolivia in a press conference.  The Bolivian government is in full support of the effort.  Mike will be on the salt today with Bolivian officials surveying the area for the course.  Brain Leckey the Discovery producer is with them he is going to be doing a series of Social Media/web casts documenting our effort."

Jeff from Boise
------------- 1 of just 3 in all 3  -------------
USFRA 130 MPH Club 09/18/2008 136.757
USFRA 150 MPH Club 09/17/2009 152.162
Bonneville 200 MPH Club 09/15/2019 218.600
Best Run: 253.080 MPH 09/14/2019 #6556

Offline aircap

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Re: Ackattack in Bolivia
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2017, 01:16:04 AM »
Guess this will truly be "new salt"....
"Act your age, not your shoe size". - Prince

Offline rouse

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Re: Ackattack in Bolivia
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2017, 08:32:53 AM »
Mike, I'm wishing for you to have a great experience and safe and successful runs.

Please keep us all posted on your progress.

Rouse
Johnnie Rouse
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If you love your freedom thank a vet.

Offline ack

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Re: Ackattack in Bolivia
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2017, 06:01:22 PM »
Mike Cook, Peter Giles from Top 1 Oil, Brian Lecky videographer, and Andre Rodrigues, who organized the Uyuni 3600 event, arrived in LaPaz Monday to meet with Bolivian officials to discuss our upcoming attempt to up the FIM motorcycle speed record.

They were met by the Minister of Tourism and the vice president of Bolivia Álvaro Marcelo García Linera. The vice president has given his full support and, that of the Bolivian government, to our effort .

The following day the group traveled to Uyuni to survey the salt. Mike called me from the salt and apologized he said “he has only been able to layout 20 miles of perfect salt course because they were running low on gas”. He went on to say they tried to determine the thickness of the salt by drilling down and it is over 1 foot thick. Mike was ecstatic about the salt conditions.

The group spent the next day in Uyuni working on logistic details EMT, fire, communications, porta-potty, security etc.

Andre Rodrigues has been an invaluable help in organizing the event. Without him I doubt we could do this. 

Pictured from left to right:

Brian Leckey, Andre Rodrigues, Vice President, Mike Cook, Pete Giles   

Offline manta22

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Re: Ackattack in Bolivia
« Reply #8 on: March 25, 2017, 08:21:03 PM »
That's great news! I hope this becomes an annual event.

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ
Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

Offline dw230

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Re: Ackattack in Bolivia
« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2017, 11:28:28 PM »
Hooray for LSE and Mike Cook.

DW
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Alcohol - because no good story starts with a salad.

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Offline comet

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Re: Ackattack in Bolivia
« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2017, 03:13:40 AM »
This is brilliant news to read, it sounds like an amazing event will be taking place very soon.
Well done and good luck to all of you.

Offline ack

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Re: Ackattack in Bolivia
« Reply #11 on: May 22, 2017, 08:51:24 PM »
Website information on Bolivia

http://top1ackattack.com/

Press release

http://motorsportsnewswire.com/2017/05/18/top-1-ack-attack-top-of-the-world-land-speed-trial-05181715/

3 other open bikes going

Al Lamb 1000cc and 1300cc

Ralph Hudson 1000cc

Jim Hoogerhyde Lightning Electric


Offline trimmers

  • Jeff in Boise
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Re: Ackattack in Bolivia
« Reply #12 on: May 25, 2017, 10:39:20 PM »
I flew into San Jose on Monday to chase down some helicopters (and one Cessna) throughout central California.  Made my way back to SJ this afternoon for tomorrow's flight back to Boise.  Mike Akatiff had invited me to stop by his shop to talk about some avionics stuff, and see ACK Attack one more time before they load up the container early next month. 

Mike had the guys balancing some new M/T tires in preparation, and the body was off the bike.   I may be losing it, but I thought Mike said they'd be running down in Bolivia in early July, rather than August as stated in the video his link leads to.  He said that Cook's container will be shipped before his, and that both the Rice Bros (Alan and James) are going as neither wanted to pass up the opportunity for an adventure of this magnitude.  Mike said FIM Charlie is coming from Switzerland, too.

Mike seemed to think they had a pretty good shot at producing some big numbers, and I'm sure we all hope he's right!  So, best of luck and safe travels, to Mike, Rocky, and everybody else who's making the trip!

Jeff in Boise
------------- 1 of just 3 in all 3  -------------
USFRA 130 MPH Club 09/18/2008 136.757
USFRA 150 MPH Club 09/17/2009 152.162
Bonneville 200 MPH Club 09/15/2019 218.600
Best Run: 253.080 MPH 09/14/2019 #6556

Offline TrickyDicky

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Re: Ackattack in Bolivia
« Reply #13 on: May 30, 2017, 04:52:01 AM »
I may be losing it, but I thought Mike said they'd be running down in Bolivia in early July, rather than August as stated in the video his link leads to.

Top of this thread says July 12-15 but Ack Attack web site now states August 3-8.

TOP 1 ACK ATTACK: THE TOP OF THE WORLD LAND SPEED TRIAL

The final challenge for The Top 1 Ack Attack after setting the FIM world record for the third time in 2010, is to be the first motorcycle in history to exceed 400 MPH.  In August 2017 the Top 1 ACK Attack is headed to the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia to challenge the 400 mph mark. Conditions at the famed Bonneville salt flats have deteriorated due to mining over the years and, have been unsuitable for very high speed record attempts.  In March of this year Top 1 Oil sent a team, headed by Bonneville veteran Mike Cook, to the salt flats in Uyuni Bolivia in search of a suitable location.  The salt flats, located in Bolivia near the country's Tunupa volcano, make up the world's largest salt desert, around 4086 sq miles.  The salt flats themselves are 12,000 feet above sea level in the Andes.  Mike and his team will begin track preparations in July.  The Top 1 ACK Attack will be joined by three of the fastest open wheel bikes in the world.


Trying to follow this from afar, it seems the track will be long, flat and firm.  Gusting wind would be a problem, but over 4-6 days there ought to be many hours when the weather is calm.  Is the high altitude a help or a hindrance for Ack Attack?  I'm guessing there is a net benefit when you are trying to run at 400 mph (i.e. turbocharging minimises impact of the lack of oxygen whilst the thinner atmosphere gives a major reduction in drag).

Offline ack

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Re: Ackattack in Bolivia
« Reply #14 on: May 30, 2017, 07:48:38 AM »
The dates are correct as posted on the web site August 3rd through the 7th.

There were many things to consider in going to Bolivia. After another bad year at Bonneville we were planing to run in Australia at the D L R A meet. After watching George Poteet spit one turbo wheel after another out the exhaust one concern I had about Bolivia was the turbo charger if it spins at 100K at sea level for each 1000 meters of altitude you need to spin it 7% faster to make the same boost so at 12,000 it would be spinning 128,000. At the SEMA show in November the Garret folks took an interest in it and said the turbo we had should work but it was near the edge of its limits. They designed a turbo for us with fully machined wheels that will make 30 lbs boost and more at 12,000 feet reliably.

It began looking like Bolivia might be doable. Shortly afterword I spoke to Jack Costella who had attended the small Uyuni 3600 event in October. Jack was blown away by the salt and said it was absolutely hard,smooth,meters thick and ran for 100 miles in each direction. Jack is 82 years old and flew direct from Miami to LaPaz then Uyuni and suffered no altitude effects same with Mike Cook and 3 others we sent in March they had no problem with the altitude, some people are affected difrently. The holel has oxygen, we have oxygen, the ambulance has oxygen and the fire crew has oxygen if anyone needs it.

Because of the altitude we will have 8% less drag than Bonneville and just having returned from the wind tunnel if we run with the doors on that is another 10% drag reduction for a total of 19% reduction. In 2010 at Bonneville with two trashed motors that had no 5th and 6th gear a five mile run up to the timing lights we actually exceeded 400 mph at the very end of the timed mile before Rocky shut off. With 19% less drag a ten mile run up and much more power than we had at Bonneville, you can do the math, the potential looks pretty scary, if we just don't run out of gas.

Al Lamb, Ralph Hudson, Nick Genet on open wheel bikes and jim hoogerhyde on the Lightning electric will be joining us in Bolivia.

Here is some,more information

http://top1ackattack.com/

http://motorsportsnewswire.com/2017/05/ ... -05181715/

This is the headquarters hotel http://www.palaciodesal.com.bo/