Let's see -- the last update from me, although I hope that Debbie gets the results posted soon.
Randy's turbo developed a bit of bearing slop yesterday, it turned out. He said that today he removed the air cleaner and saw the shaft with about a half-inch or so of play -- so he's out for the duration. And he'll not go to SpeedWeek after all. He's already taken care of the room that he had reserved -- Scott Griswold has it, so don't go pestering Randy.
I saw Joe riding his bike down the access road, then talked to him at the line -- where his voice was about three octaves higher. Oww, that bike must have some lovely qualities -- and ride comfort is NOT one of them.
Dean Sabat made pass after pass, and I already have listed his good speeds. It's amazing how he keeps his cool and doesn't get flustered or flushed (with the heat). Good weekend for him on both the 1000 (which had the fairing on it by the end of today) and the SGR "gas" turbo 'Busa.
Todd Dross got a couple or six records on the sidecar bike. I don't think Debbie made any runs this weekend. TJ Cannon did, as I told you earlier, and damn, I'm sorry I didn't get a photo of his street ride. It's a Honda 250 Rebel -- with fat old whitewall tires and hand shifter (old piston, no less) and foot clutch. It's got character, for sure.
Neither the 531 nor 55 roadsters were running at the end of the day. I saw Joe Ledford's orange #55 getting pushed off the line earlier -- with Joe in the push truck -- so I'm guessing his boy or pit lacvkey was at the wheel for some seat time and maybe licensing passes.
The 7600 belly tank ran about 3-4 mph short of 200. That's the car with the Audi 2.15L motor in it. They'll have it at Speedweek so you're all going to have a chance to see it in person.
No, Al didn't retire, for sure. He started me both yesterday and today. He gets a break now and then -- but did yeoman duty at the line and didn't lose his temper more than once or twice (well, maybe once or twice per hour) -- and then I think it was just to stay in practice.
Terry Russell drove Lawson's Thunderbird to a best of 190 -- and he said that Lawson might have gone 195, but why hurt it just. Whatever -- sounds like the clutch is no longer a problem.
The meet ended about 1.20 or so -- when we ran out of folks wanting to make another run. Think a few cool thoughts for the folks that have to clean up and put away everything. It was in the mid-80s, at least -- but felt much hotter by the end of running. Joe Timney reported Density Altitude yesterday at over 4000 feet -- and about 1500 or so this morning. Back to 3000++ this afternoon when we quit.
We're now northbound on I-77, north of Winston-Salem -- and it's only 93F. We saw about 100 in the megalopolis, though, so summer ain't over yet.
We'll catch you later, folks. Over and out.
