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1

Bonneville General Chat / Re: Speed Week 2006

« Last post by tallguy on Today at 12:47:37 AM »

Thank you for bringing this information to our attention.

I'm impressed, but not too too surprised. 

Apparently, a significant amount of money, carefully spent, along with a significant amount of ability in the project planning, designing, building, and operation of a vehicle such as that (making good decisions in the choosing of the key people involved)
-- can produce some significant results.   

2

Bonneville General Chat / Speed Week 2006

« Last post by manta22 on May 02, 2024, 10:08:06 PM »

I posted this story on the GT40 website and it may bring back a memory or two.

One more story about John... In August 2006, I drove up to the Bonneville Salt Flats to attend Speed Week and experience the unique ambience of that strange place. John Horsman told me that a team from JCB would be there running a diesel-powered streamliner. John was familiar with that project and told me that their objective was to demonstrate that their JCB diesel engine was robust, powerful, and reliable enough to power a very fast race car. He said he might stop by there and say hello.


At Bonneville, the JCB team created a very favorable impression with their new streamliner. It was very well designed and its aerodynamics were given a high priority. In fact, none other than Ron Ayres handled the aero. His resume included the design of the Bloodhound guided missile- top drawer talent, indeed. The driver selected for the record attempt was also outstanding- Andy Green, an RAF fighter pilot with lots of flight time in a Tornado.


The JCB team had two large tractor-trailers; one was set up as a first-class hospitality suite and the other, parked adjacent, was their data collection and analysis van. This was similar to a Formula One team! I checked out the hospitality suite but I did not find John, so I looked into the other van and someone at a computer monitor asked if they could help me. I think his implication was that I was not supposed to be in there. I said to the computer operator "I'm looking for John Horsman, he said he might be here." A very surprised and puzzled look came over his face and he said "THE John Horsman?" and I replied that it was, indeed and that John had said he might stop in and say "Hello". Word quickly around the British JCB team about John's possible visit- it was clear that his reputation was sterling in the world- wide racing community. Unfortunately John did not get to that event so it was a disappointment.


On Saturday evening after racing was finished for that day, drivers and crew members would assemble in Jon Wennerberg's pit for the "Salt Talks", a casual get-together with food and refreshments and lots of stories. Before it started, I realized that the JCB team was probably not familiar with this Bonneville tradition and I took it upon myself to invite Andy and others to attend. We were pleased when Andy Green, Colin Bond, and a few others joined us for a wonderful evening. It was one of those memorable experiences that life throws your way - once in a while!


PS: The JCB streamliner ran flawlessly and it holds the current world record in its class- D/S.

3

Aerodynamics / Re: C/GALT Body Stretch??

« Last post by JR'S PAPA on May 02, 2024, 09:41:39 PM »

Sorry Mike,
 I cannot stand by and let you or anyone else impugn your predecessor. I have been around Bonneville much longer than you, and unlike you have owned a car.
 I realize he was not perfect and had distractors, but I came to respect the man and I hold him and his service to our sport with respect and thanks. He always showed me he cared about the people and cars and the records. I never saw him insult or accuse anyone. If he found a problem, it was discussed without rancor or personalities, or accusations of deliberate, outright cheating, NEVER. I think he knew he was dealing with honest racers, at heart, for the most part.
 We do not run for money or trophies, only hats, time slips and bragging rights. Not the cutthroat NASCAR or any other high dollar series that maintain if you are not cheating you are not trying attitude. He also let the competition protest perceived issues. In the long run scheme of things most issues have a way of policing themselves. I see the racers as a varied family with common threads and a shared interest in making our sport better, not more contentious and unfriendly, but fair.
 You were bounced for riding around the pits on your bicycle with a haughty, confronting attitude, and picking out infractions that were not infractions by the rule book, from thirty feet away and saying if that ever gets to "my impound" I will not pass it. You did not even get off you bicycle to really look at your perceived infraction close enough to tell it was or was not an infraction. That car in that configuration has held records for over twenty years at Bonneville.  And why is it "Your Impound"?  And you were bounced for picking out issues to bystanders and not talking, asking or explaining anything directly to a new team, at their first inspection, while going through tech, not impound, and not even realizing the car held records at Mirage for nearly twenty-five years in that configuration without any issues, protests or questions. I know, I know ...."read page nine of the rule book....These are two of the myriad reasons you were bounced from "Your Impound".
  Also, your, " I'm the new sheriff in town strut" and condescending, I got the badge attitude, made you a bully not someone a lot of racers I have talked to, trusted or believed in. I am for one am very glad and relieved the SCTA Board bounced you. I hope the new person can restore the reason I came to be with the Bonneville family in the first place. A place we can meet and renew our common love of the place and wonderful people every time we are blessed to be there.

4

Build Diaries / Re: Springfield Flyer.

« Last post by kiwi belly tank on May 02, 2024, 02:17:38 PM »

Land speed racing is fairly unique in the type of people it attracts & the vehicles they build so they are usually sympathetic & encouraging to other people & their struggles as you've come to see here on the forum Mike! You can get a dose of negativity on social media in a heartbeat M8! but this place will help sooth the wounds.
  Sid. 

5

Build Diaries / Re: Springfield Flyer.

« Last post by tauruck on May 02, 2024, 01:16:29 AM »

Locally I count 4 guys as true friends.

I'm dead serious when I call you all my best friends. North America and I have this thing.
Call it a spiritual home if you will. I get you guys and by the look of it you all get me.
Maybe I was meant to join this forum just to meet you guys?.

Thousands of posts and not one negative comment. That says more about you than me.
The generosity, advice and motivation is overwhelming. God Bless you all.

I got into this because of a "coke head" rich guy who commissioned me to build Carbon body work for his gazillion HP BMW land speed car.
He was at fault but blamed me. I was so angry I told my crew I'd chop my Ranchero's roof and rake it to smoke the fool. One kid smirked so I showed them.
He never came back to work on Monday!!!!.

I was going with a NA truck and some fat slicks on Aero NASCAR wheels. They mention fools in the Bible. Pick me. Then you all taught me about tire width.
That never panned out because Goodyear SA reneged on the tire deal. Totally my fault for not getting it in writing.

Someone suggested a liner because MT would come on board with the rubber. I dived right in.
I'm that kid who sat in a hockey changeroom with men and heard "if your sport interferes with your job then leave your job". A joke but to me it was gospel.
I just played hockey until the army got me. There they bent us all out of shape in basic training. No disrespect to any other countries but our basic was close to spec forces.
Then they wanted volunteers for even crazier stuff. None of it was for glory. I was testing me. I'm the most knowledge hungry guy you'll ever meet.

This has been a steep learning curve for 2 reasons. I'm a one hundred percenter. I get into something and I get tunnel vision to the point that I neglect important things.
Second, I was making good money when I started out and the economy took a dive along with the exchange rate.

All the advice here is so appreciated and absorbed.
I can build this liner on my own. Finances are the killer in racing. The head of Mercedes AMG said even if he had enough money it still wasn't enough.
I have normally aspirated engine components in boxes I can't use. Some rare Cleveland stuff like TRW unfinished pop up pistons. Guys here tell me to
sell everything. Who wants it?. Even if it was SBC stuff they'll come like vultures and offer peanuts because "you're desperate" and it's common in South Africa.

When I asked the local experts on EFI and turbo they said get 8 x 2200cc Bosch injectors. Bosch obliged. Now I NEED 16!!!!. The Fueltech FT350 is inadequate because it doesn't have EGT sensors. Stuff like this. I built a steering wheel from Carbon for the ECU. All wrong because the FT500 is larger.

No faith in these guys.

In the time I told Tom and Sid I was done things were still in the works and Scott Bader has come on board with 35 gallons of high performance resin.
Spanjaard is an automotive and industrial supplier of lubricants, degreaser, copper compound and marking blue to name a few. They're ready to bring cases of products
I need. Honingcraft is busy making the full spool, the direct drive collar and a bunch of parts I need. I had a problem there though. My so called go to guy belittled me big time
because of my pencil drawings. That was the last straw. I don't have huge micrometres and verniers to measure. The CAD guy I know couldn't draw because I couldn't give dimensions.
It all came to a head. Even last year I might have reacted badly to the insult and got into a bind. I said God Bless you brother and ran to the car.

Been watching a lot of YouTube content. Darin Morgan in particular. Richard Holdener, David Vizard, Billy Goldbold and others.
The Australians are bosses on the Cleveland and it has a crank oiling timing problem and they found out it's at 120* when it should be 180*. Their Band-Aid is fully grooved bearings.
If I add the things I need up it comes to crank, cam, roller lifters, springs, pushrods and a tranny. The block needs partial filling too.
The upside is I have two awesome turbos. I could risk it and run with what I have but we all know it will grenade.

It's been said before here that I should build it to the point that it rolls and has a body so that the inexperienced will jump on it. All I can say is that before I got to breaking point
every rep that came and saw bought in.

I feel a lot better after reading all your comments. There's this loyalty thing where I took materials and products from companies. I can't do like some others and throw in the towel.
In my country people will rip you and sleep better than before.
I'll figure a way.
This isn't over.
God Bless you all. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻✝✝✝✝ 

 

6

Build Diaries / Re: NACA 66 Special A/BGS

« Last post by tallguy on May 01, 2024, 09:57:23 PM »

   I looked at that picture inside the chassis, and my first thought was: "Damn, how many times would my head bounce off of the frame before I got it undercontrol when a spark went down the neck of my shirt". Hell of a welder, and great self control.
  Doug 

TIG welding (more modernly called "GTAW", and formerly referred to as "heliarc") isn't known for making a lot of sparks.  If
done right, it provides very delicate, precise control, and I tend to think of the process as "metal surgery".  The other welding
processes that do provide a lot of sparks are generally called "stick welding" or "MIG welding".

7

Aerodynamics / Re: C/GALT Body Stretch??

« Last post by Speed Limit 1000 on May 01, 2024, 07:22:47 PM »

MRK -- Thank you for the years of service.

It was a good run and I hope that I'm remembered for being a positive contributor to the cause.
Cheers 

MRK Our car Lakester #1000 has set a few records over the years and we always believed that you were a positive contributor to the cause. Thank you for your help making Bonneville so special

John

8

Aerodynamics / Re: C/GALT Body Stretch??

« Last post by MRK on May 01, 2024, 06:02:55 PM »

MRK -- Thank you for the years of service.

I just got cornfused about a car with windshield rules.  Seems like the discussion bounced back and forth between Altered, Comp, and a little Gas.  I've been more involved in running a car with no windshield.

In no way was I trying to infer that your integrity was not the best.  In years past, before you did your service, you and I were both witness to a disqualification where an official, reading a rule, added words to it and it led to not certifying a record.  In retrospect, I still owned the record.

I'm sad that you were "let go" along with Slim.
(I bailed after 10 or so years on my own accord as I was getting stressed out by someone who knew the job better than my 50 years in the field.)

Hey Stan.
Thanks for the recognition.
I was a witness to your incident as I had just started training with DW. I saw a side of him that day that did not sit well with me. I always made sure that I went about my business and didn't let my personal feelings about a competitor get in the way of my duties.
It was a good run and I hope that I'm remembered for being a positive contributor to the cause.
Cheers 

9

Aerodynamics / Re: C/GALT Body Stretch??

« Last post by Stan Back on May 01, 2024, 04:57:46 PM »

MRK -- Thank you for the years of service.

I just got cornfused about a car with windshield rules.  Seems like the discussion bounced back and forth between Altered, Comp, and a little Gas.  I've been more involved in running a car with no windshield.

In no way was I trying to infer that your integrity was not the best.  In years past, before you did your service, you and I were both witness to a disqualification where an official, reading a rule, added words to it and it led to not certifying a record.  In retrospect, I still owned the record.

I'm sad that you were "let go" along with Slim.
(I bailed after 10 or so years on my own accord as I was getting stressed out by someone who knew the job better than my 50 years in the field.) 

10

Aerodynamics / Re: C/GALT Body Stretch??

« Last post by 71GSSDemon on May 01, 2024, 05:57:30 AM »

I dont feel that way at all.  Everyone stayed on topic and had good discussions.  A story and some background is good.