Landracing Forum
Announcements => Upcoming Events => Topic started by: ack on February 20, 2017, 06:26:23 PM
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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.
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Iquique is spelled with an I, not an L. - pronounced "EE-KEE-KAY".
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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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
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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?
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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
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Guess this will truly be "new salt"....
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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
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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
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That's great news! I hope this becomes an annual event.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Hooray for LSE and Mike Cook.
DW
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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.
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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
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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
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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).
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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/
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:-) Right ON ACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Mike, thanks very much for giving us the details on the turbo situation. I was wondering how the system would cope with the lower density of ambient air.
That is, I didn't know how much scalability there'd be in the system before the lack of air was more than the available turbo/exhaust to compress that air enough to make a net gain. Now I've got an idea of how the situation is approached.
Thanks.
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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.
Mike, thanks for responding so quickly to the questions I and others are asking.
It seems you have plenty of power, low drag and a great course (and maybe a large enough fuel tank :-)). Presumably the limiting factor, once everything else is optimised, is traction. Can you use all the power you've got? Would you care to share your theoretical top speed if everything works as designed? Appreciating that you won't expect to achieve the theoretical maximum in real world conditions. I'm guessing that if you want to achieve 400 mph you probably need to design for about 440 mph (I'm plucking +10% out of the air).
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When you talk about the 10% drag reduction from the "doors", I am assuming you are talking about parachute doors? Thats a pretty impressive number, was it run in the tunnel with and without to achieve at that ?
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The parachute will not be as effective up there. Some extra slowing down room might be needed.
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When you talk about the 10% drag reduction from the "doors", I am assuming you are talking about parachute doors? Thats a pretty impressive number, was it run in the tunnel with and without to achieve at that ?
Yes with them on and off the data at the wind tunnel correlated very well with Swift CFD data we had.
Wobbly:
First thing we did is talk to Bob Stroud he has no concerns. We have never used the low speed except during a crash. Rocky has to add power at Bonneville to reach the end of the track. Besides we have another 80 miles to slow down.
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thanks for the response, reinforces my decision to do the doors on the new car
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thanks for the response, reinforces my decision to do the doors on the new car
Jim True rook his car a couple weeks before us. Tom B and him taped on cardboard doors and got similar results.
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The doors are somewhat controversial, but after testing mine last week at Elmo i am happy with the functionality and the dual positives. The drag reduction and also additional drag/stabilization when open. It is very interesting to look at the dust change when the doors open. If you go to John Wylie's videos form the May event, my car runs at around the 6:20 mark in the Sat #2 video watch the dust coming off the car at the end of the pass when the doors open. When I open them they only open enough initially for the chutes to deploy, not much differnt aero vs a car with no doors at that point. Its a significant change in the dust.
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Even if you have a 100 miles to stop, you will need some type of locator beacon on the vehicle. Chase vehicles will not be able to keep up at 400 mph. He will get lost.
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Actually, Mike's business (ACK Technologies) manufactures Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) beacons for aircraft, so that won't be a problem!
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The latest video episode 2 is posted on our website it documents Mike Cooks trip in March and the salt conditions.
http://top1ackattack.com/
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Talked to Mike Cook last night 15 mile by 120 foot wide track hard as asphalt smooth as glass. Mike Jr has photos and video of the track prep on his Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/mike.j.cook.94
Here is the latest video episode on aerodynamics.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLTDKb7dHymNBAfZ_OaCADPYeJUs_02JZx&v=YPg-eM58NLI&feature=youtu.be
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Thanks for posting!
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We are leaving for Bolivia.
There should be daily updates on either face book page.
https://www.facebook.com/top1oil/
https://www.facebook.com/top1ackattack/
You can also follow on the website but it will be behind a few days.
http://www.top1ackattack.com/
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Good luck in Boliviaville, we're all hanging on the edge of our seats.
Sid.
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Somebody here tell us what happened -- I can't navigate all this shitt.
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A little different there Stan the President of the country and other incredible fanfare to open the runs....
stark contrast to Bonneville in many respects ....
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Nothing's going to happen until SSS gets there and starts streaming the audio. :-D
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It's hard to describe what a beautiful and unique place the Salar is. Rocky's jaw dropped when we showed him the course Mike and crew had prepared. 15 miles of rock hard salt 120 feet wide. The effort has not been without many nail biting moments. Our container that was due July 21 still has not arrived. If wasn't until 2 nights ago that Mikes and Ralph Hudson's container arrived. Yesterday morning we moved them to the track and the crane unloaded them. Our container is to arrive this afternoon.
Al Lams container never got on the boat so they built a couple of crates with the bike and spare parts to airfreight to LaPaz. When it got to Miami US customs seized the shipment and held it for 10 days. No amount of pleading calls to the US embassy could get it released. Finally it was released 1/2 hour after the last cargo flight that could get it to Bolivia on time had left. All seemed hopeless until the President of Bolivia stepped in and called the president of an airline and got the container on an airplane, its due to arrive in LaPaz as I write this.
Yesterday everyone here headed to the track well over 60 people and began to set up the track under Mike's direction. By the end of the day we had a fully prepared track. The Aprilia will be the only bike running. tomorrow as we have the fuel for the turbo bikes in our container. Erin Siills is going to make an un-official pass on her street bike.
Tomorrow morning the President and Vice President of Bolivia will be flying in for the opening ceremony. A huge opening ceremony is being prepared at the zero mile with a band, native dancers, press and other dignitaries. All of us here are grateful to Joe Ryan, Frank Ryan, Kevin Ryan and the rest of the Ryan family at Top 1 Oil for making this event possible and the support they have given LandSpeed racing over the years.
We all should be running Saturday morning.
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Mike:
Thanks for the update! I'm guessing I'm not the only one who was wondering what happened yesterday.
But in LSR, I suppose it's like Roseanne Roseannadanna used to say: "It's always something".
We'll be watching Facebook and here for more updates.
Good luck!
Jeff in Boise
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It is really awesome how Bolivia is treating you guys and is apparently so happy to be having this there.
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(https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20597406_10208775296974322_1548205589030243723_n.jpg?oh=3b03b7d6c60b3ca83ec58c7db9243658&oe=5A305B6B)
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I'm sure the Bolivian Government sees the writing on the wall that Bonneville racing is on it's last legs & Uyuni is set to become the new LSR destination & bringing cubic dollars with it, but it really is amazing how President Evo Morales has stepped up here. :cheers: This is pioneering stuff going on here, just look at this place!!!! :-o :-o :-o :-o :-o :-o :-o :-o :-o :-o :-o :-o :-o :-o :-o
Sid.
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We need to get some favorable press coverage on this event opening- with video to show the stark difference between the Bolivian government and our BLM. This would show the public how shameful the BLM stewardship of Bonneville has been.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Richard Lague is in Bolivia at the event and has offered to send pics and info to me so I can put it up here. Don't forget you can find stuff on the Facebook page -- even you, Stan. Have somebody get on the bicycle generator and crack up the generator, okay?
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I just saw a documentary about Bolivia kicking out the DEA because they were causing to much grief with the coca growers . Which I understood caused the US to cut off relations with Bolivia. Or something. At any rate the situation seemed a little fluid there.
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Thanx, Seldom. I don't do those Facial things.
(I tried, but couldn't come up with any friends.)
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. . . Looks like the Ack Attack team wasn't successful in going 400 in Bolivia.
I was hoping for good news, and am eager to learn why it didn't happen.
Best wishes for the future, everyone!
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The bike showed up way late, like a few weeks beyond it's intended date. That only left them with two days to run the bike. Rocky posted that he did make a nice mid-300mph shake down pass. I believe that was the end of the first day.
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Calkins, thank you for the (brief) report. I had hoped for some 400+ mph news, but if it was
going to be easy, everybody would be doing it.
Ack Attack is still likely, in my opinion, to be the first motorcycle to officially go 400+ mph.
I wish the entire team the best of luck, etc.
Having said that, I also wish all their competitors the best of luck, etc. Records are meant
to be broken.
Good luck at Bonneville, everyone. Although its suitability for extremely fast vehicles has
been destroyed, it's still functionally usable for us slower guys.
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Here is a link to Jean Turners Cycle News feature on the Bolivian atttempt.
http://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/863949-cycle-news-issue-33-august-22-2017/90
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Mike:
Thanks for the link to the great article. In light of all the unexpected problems you guys had to content with, it's a major miracle you did as well as you did. The good news is that it was a learning experience, which should be of great value for the next time. Everybody knows that your bike and team is more than capable of fulfilling your goals, so go to work gettuing ready for 2018!
Jeff McVey in Boise
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Here is a link to Jean Turners Cycle News feature on the Bolivian atttempt.
http://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/863949-cycle-news-issue-33-august-22-2017/90
Great article, thanks for posting. Dean
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Another good write-up.
https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/seeking-400-mph-in-the-mountains-of-bolivia
Any word on what the various film crews captured?
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Al Lamb Bolivia video
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2017/october/chasing-300-world-speed-record/
Mike Cook and I are discussing the possibility of having another event in Bolivia in July of next year depending on the amount of interest and commitment within the land speed community.
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Bolivia FIA/FIM sanctioned speed trials July 10th 2018
Mike Cook and I have been discussing holding an event in Bolivia in early July of next year. We learned a lot of lessons from the attempt this year. The event would depend upon the number of serious competitors wanting to attend. The track Mike prepared this year was 15 miles long by 120 feet wide and as smooth and hard as a new freeway. It could be 20 miles if we needed it. There has been lot of interest by both bike and car competitors in attending such an event. The Bolivian government has asked us to enter into a contract with them to promote an event next year.
We would require at least 12 entries that are willing to pay 10K entry fee that would be held in a separate account. There would be a cutoff date of March 31 at which time, if there are enough entries, the event will proceed. If not enough entries have paid the entry fee all money would be refunded to the entries. If the event has enough entries to proceed and your vehicle is not ready to run at the event no refund will be given as the expenses for the event has been spent or committed. At the conclusion of the event a full accounting of expenses will be provided to all entries and any remaining money will be refunded to the entries.
It will be a FIM/FIA sanctioned event the same as the Shootout. The sanction fees for both will be paid. The FIA entry fee for each car will be $300.00 USD. The FIM does not require an entry fee only the sanction fee. I would guess based upon the event this year the cost to put the event on including travel for Mike and his crew, FIM and FIA sanction fees, travel expenses for officials, track preparation and grading, surveying, fire ambulance, insurance, timing, environmental license, crane service, porta-potty, bus service to and from the track, etc. to be approximately 80 - 100K. If there are more entries it will reduce the cost for everyone.
Each entry is required to make their own shipping arrangements, travel arrangements and hotel reservations. There are two quality hotels at the entrance to the salt; we will make arrangements with them for a reduced rate for people attending the event. One quality hotel has committed to a rate of $60.00 USD a night including breakfast. Vehicles can be rented in LaPaz. There is a brand new highway from LaPaz to the salt flats a distance of 305 miles.
If you are seriously interested in participating please contact: at the salt
Mike Cook at 951 278-4243 or 951 675-3070 driver598@sbcglobal.net
Or
Mike Akatiff at 408 315-0901 mikea@ackavionics.com
Here is a link to the Bolivia videos.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTDKb7dHymNBAfZ_OaCADPYeJUs_02JZx
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Go get that record!
Love this streamliner!!!
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I want to do this event again!
Merry Christmas to me :-D
DW
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I am helping Mike Cook to put on an event in Uyuni Bolivia July 10th of this year. Last year I did much of the planning and logistics. This year I am leaving the logistics to Mike and Marcello our Bolivian contact. In order for the event to go ahead Mike needs 12 entries that are willing to pay the $10,000.00 USD entry fee by March 31st . If not enough entries are committed by March 31st the entry fees submitted will be refunded by Mike. We have a contract with the Bolivian government who is very supportive of the event under which we must confirm to them by the March 31st date that the event will go on. Weather is not a factor annual rainfall between April and October is zero and the wind is almost always calm.
In the US we are working on consolidating many of the bike entries in to one or more containers Marcelo will be providing logistic support of the container shipments for the various teams and will make sure they arrive on time. He will be also arranging with the hotels a discount rate for the participants. If the event goes forward late entries will be accepted however the entry fee will be $15,000.00. Both FIM and FIA will be in attendance. If you are interested in attending please contact me or Mike Cook. Currently there are 8 committed teams and several several others seriously considering it.
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March 31 has come and gone, what is the status of this event ?,,
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The Bolivia event is on
July 10th through the 15th 2018
FIM and FIA sanctions
Those entered:
Al Lamb Goal exceed 300 mph sit on bike
Ralph Hudson Goal exceed 300 mph sit on bike
Erin Stills Goal fastest woman on sit on bike
Fastest naked bike record
Jamie Williams Goal FIM snowmobile record
Just over 200 mph
Top 1 Ack Attack Goal exceed 400 mph
Jim Knapp Goal exceed 500 mph
In the Moro car
Built by Tom Hanna
Probably the last Bolivia event for the foreseeable future
The entries fell short of the 12 required to fund Mike Cook.
Everyone decided to double their entry fee in order to
raise the money necessary, Just too expensive to do.
If anyone else wants to do this (Triumph?) they should
call Mike Cook now.
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Thankyou for the reply Mike,, now I can contemplate weather or not to make the trip too spectate at this event :-)
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I was also looking into making the trip this year to check out the lay of the land with the intention of taking the liner down in 2019 but it sounds like my schedule just move up by six months to take it to Aus instead.
Sid.
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For anyone planning to attend the event this is hotel everyone is staying at. We have a group rate of $70.00 a night single double or triple. So far we have booked 42 of the 54 rooms.
http://www.hotelcristalsamana.com.bo
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For anyone planning to attend the event this is hotel everyone is staying at. We have a group rate of $70.00 a night single double or triple. So far we have booked 42 of the 54 rooms.
http://www.hotelcristalsamana.com.bo
$70 a night in a nice hotel during race week! Don't let the Bolivians talk to the Casino owner in Wendover! Looks like a nice hotel to boot.
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The Bolivia event is on unfortunately Jamie Williams who has paid the 20K entry fee can not he has most generously donated it to the event Erin Stills and Ralph Hudson have a 40 foot container going that Jamie was going to ship in. The cost split 3 ways would be about 4K. If someone else is interested in going you should call Jamie Williams and see if he is willing to let you run at a reduced cost using his entree.
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Accuweather just posted a video of sunrise over the Bolivia flats. Ads associated, sorry: https://www.accuweather.com/en/videos/stunning-aerial-of-sunrise-at-worlds-largest-salt-flat/tqmgjizje6ocedwggmkm92w9ksp5wezk
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On Monday the 21st the National Geographic channel program One Strange Rock at 7:00 PDT has a segment on the event in Bolivia last year.
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This jumped into view this morning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3hlz0RLFes
Jim's Wichita built car getting a little dyno time
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The dyno looks similar to yours, Stainless.
John
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The dyno looks similar to yours, Stainless.
John
Yea but their shop is cleaner and better manned :roll:
:cheers:
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I'll bet your labor rate is cheaper. :-D :-D
Ron
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Yea, probably... although one of my satisfied customers did send me a bottle of 21 year old Bushmills as well as sending Linda a couple bottles of really nice wine for making gourmet dinners while they were here.
Waiting for you to bring the car down Ron
:cheers:
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Jim Knapp/Maro Special not able to make it, according to Facebook.
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I'm sitting in Houston waiting for my flight to Lima, then on to La Paz.... with any luck I'll be able to post some pictures when I get there
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How are you getting from La Paz to the salt?
DW
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Sure hope he is flying Dan
That mobile hypobaric chamber sure feels good after the first night at altitude in LaPaz
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Jim Knapp/Maro Special not able to make it, according to Facebook.
I heard this is a rumor and the car is under way. Jim has a GPS tracking system on it.
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Sure hope he is flying Dan
That mobile hypobaric chamber sure feels good after the first night at altitude in LaPaz
Not to be too picky I think you mean Hyperbaric. :cheers: When we were in Cusco (11000 ft or so) last year in a nice hotel they were piping oxygen into the bedroom. Nice.
Glad to hear Knapp is going. He has sort of stopped communicating.
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Jim Knapp/Maro Special not able to make it, according to Facebook.
I heard this is a rumor and the car is under way. Jim has a GPS tracking system on it.
This is copied from Cook's Shootout Facebook page posted a day ago. If it is rumor I hope they correct it.
Tom G.
Jim Hoogerhyde (posted) Jim Knapp’s didn’t make it
Manage 1d
Mike Cook's Land Speed Shootout (posted a reply) Unfortunately no. He was beset by a shipping issue that could not be resolved in time.
Manage 23h
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That's a shame, if true.
Mike
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I arrived in Bolivia yesterday, long trip, nice crisp morning.... I can't find my charging adapter set so I'm guessing it is on top the dresser... at home. If I can find one to keep my computer charged I might be able to post pics in the evening.
Minor fact... La Paz to the hotel, the low spot in the road was 12400 ASL
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In Italy they have about double the voltage and a slightly lower frequency. The standard Apple transformer on the power cord was able to handle this. Read the allowable voltage range. You might not need anything special other than an adaptor for the plug to the wall socket.
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Last year I used an adapter in the hotel room and my phone lasted just fine.
DW
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Got an adapter, computer pack alive. We are waiting for the containers... should have been here yesterday, but they were still in Chile, not on trucks yet. The word is that they could arrive tonight.... if so they could be out on the salt tomorrow and course prep would start ASAP.
There is a 15 mile course graded and surveyed, 50 meters wide... Mike needs to run the polisher on it, but everyone is happy with what they are seeing without dragging.
here is a couple of pics.
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From Mike Cook's Facebook page:
MIKE COOKS TOP OF THE WORLD LAND SPEED SHOOTOUT
Racing starts Wednesday we have 15 mile race track with 20 mile run out at each end
Final preparations are underway at Salar De Uyuni - Bolivia for racing to begin tomorrow. The track is in beautiful shape and the racers are eager to get on it.
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... We are waiting for the containers... should have been here yesterday, but they were still in Chile, not on trucks yet. The word is that they could arrive tonight.... if so they could be out on the salt tomorrow and course prep would start ASAP.
:? Deja vu all over again?
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The drive from La Paz was interesting... at 12000+ there were not a lot of trees. Looks a little like US 50 through Utah and Nevada
Sunrise was nice
The drive was interrupted regularly by the local bandits.... that is the 20 toll booths wanting 2-16 $ Bolivian, about 15 cents each.
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Sunday a large group went to Uyuni for the local Motocross races and visited the train graveyard which was right next door...
Yesterday 4 of us headed out on an 8 hour motorcycle tour of the Bolivian outback... had a great time except for the grey haired guy crashed in a sand trap... Hey I haven't ridden a dirt bike since the late 70s to early 80s.
Nothing broken, that was early in the 200 kilo tour, Had a great time. There were a lot of sheep and llama up there, folks living in stone houses with thatched roofs. Very scenic ride... got a little cold near the end with the sun going down
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Given all the equipment you guys were wearing. This had to be a USA planned event. I'm even surprised you found a place to rent dirt bikes.
John
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That's what I was gonna ask, John -- where'd they find scooters up there?
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The bike rental place is world famous... he is English, although he sounds Australian to me. The gear is required wear and he furnishes it with the tour. He has multiple routes, Motorcycle Tours Bolivia in Uyuni.
Great fun.... although it seems like you're in a foreign country :roll:
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Cool! http://motorcycletoursbolivia.com/ (http://motorcycletoursbolivia.com/) :cheers:
Mike
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What is the crop in the first picture of the drive out there?
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Guess you guys had the wrong guide as when Greg, John, and I rode through with our Aussie gude, Michael, we we waved through all those checkpoints!
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What is the crop in the first picture of the drive out there?
Dirt! :-D
Sid.
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Sid is about right... I saw a lot of fields that were furrowed but nothing growing, maybe because it is winter. Not sure if you guys can see the stone fences around that field... looks like folks pick the stones out, do dry stack dividing fences.... some of the plots are quite small, my guess was the ones with the most stones.
No containers so far. Mike Cook, MC Jr, Tommy and I went out and laid out the track for signboards, Allen Rice, FIM Charlie and Andre laid out the timing area for the lights using string and nails we procured locally. Day 1 of the meet is over and no one has a container yet.
Now promised at 8 in the morning.... :|
With the work we did today, the track should go up rather quickly... once the equipment arrives.
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How's the beer? :cheers:
Mike
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slightly better than goat piss.... but it looks like it
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Last night we threw Ack a surprise birthday party... we were at supper at the hotel on the hill.
Sorry, Ack moved so fast to blow out the candle the picture was too blurry to post :|
:cheers:
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The eats look pretty good, Stainless.
John
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unfortunately that was not at our hotel... :|
Well I was too tired too post anything last night... It is cold and 12000+ ASL and it takes its toll. Yesterday we got containers... 8am was promised 1pm was delivered....except Al Lamb... maybe no hope for his to arrive.
We got Cooks unloaded first...Allen Rice started getting the radios and clocks up, Mike Jr started dragging after we assembled the drag then Tommy and I started setting up the track with signboards....
The rule is get off the salt before dark, so everything shuts down at 5 and folks start leaving. Did I mention the track is 34 miles out? Yea I thought so... its dark around 6.... so we got half done.
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Today we continued setting up most of the track... left the hotel before sunup but it was light enough to head out.
Dragging continued, more track set up continued. We had the 4-11 all done when Erin Sills made the first pass, not a record but a good shake down and practice for her team. Then Ralph Hudson ran a down and back with 50 minutes left on the clock at a 291 and change average. We had a crosswind so he was all over the track.
Ack is prepped to run in the morning as will Ralph and Erin. There are 2 days left so no one is dilly dallying :wink:
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Holy *#%$ Batman, 291 in crosswinds with the Hudson sail body sounds encouraging!!! Go Ralph 👍👍👍
Thanks for the great reporting Stainless, reminds me of my early days on LR.com :)
Go Ack, go Rocky, go Erin-Andy, go everyone!!! World Cup Schmorld Cup. Dean
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Stainful . . .
That sign you photographed at the mile and a half should read 1.5 (one-point-five).
Stan
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Question for somebody in the know. Are the race days set in stone even if there's no timing equipment or race vehicles? & if so, why?
Sid.
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Maybe the BLM is involved.
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Oh I will bet the FIA/FIM reps fee is involved
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I would like to go someday, looks amazing
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So how many days are left for racing in bolivia. I hope ack gets a chance to put in some decent runs.
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This is the last day of racing... unless someone coughs up some bucks to extend.... well kinda.... they could make passes on the 16th but that is the day everything runs out and it would be a mad dash to clear out on time.
Just like Bonneville the gov controls the salt and you buy a window... the issues are with shipping... the containers were shipped soon enough that they should have been sitting in Colchini waiting... but we are dealing with third world countries.... my guess is that your container keeps going to the back of the customs line if you are not there to bribe your way to the front.
On a lighter note... Ralph entered the mile at 299 yesterday, but slowed to a 295, his data showed he was going 308 at one point in the mile, but then his traction control took over when the rear wheel went to 318. He made 4 runs yesterday, was blown off the course the last one, 8mph cross.
Erin made a run, entered the mile at 221, but then started slowing... they tried again and let the oil out of the motor, might have hurt it on the previous run... N20 can be a b1tch.
Ack attempted a run... had an electrical issue and went back to the pits, came out again, was waiting for Ralph to return, that's the run that Ralph was blown off course, Ack took it back....
The wind really came up and I think Ack lost a couple of pop-ups, they didn't leave but they mangled a bit.
Ralph's crew is getting pretty good at tire changing
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Does altitude affect cavitation?
Asking for a friend...
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Does altitude affect cavitation?
Cavitation occurs when the local pressure in the fluid becomes less than the vapor pressure of the fluid. It then stands to reason that if the superimposed atmospheric pressure is reduced by going to “altitude”, the tendency to cavitate would increase, although it may be a minor effect.
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Copied from Cook's Facebook page.
Al Lamb
Yesterday at 3:37 PM ·
Mike Cook's Top Speed Shootout in Bolivia 2018 has officially come to an end! Congratulations to Erin Sills she has successfully reclaimed and upped Andy's record with a 229mph average on a 221mph record! Great job Erin!!! Chasing 300 is still on...Ralph Hudson burnt up a piston on his last pass at 250mph and was unable to run again as well as was running short on tires. His final FIM Land Speed Record was I believe...297mph! Great job and effort on his part! Let's see how things shake down at Bonneville with us both trying to get the Land Speed Record for 300mph on a sit on motorcycle! This should be tons of fun this year I know how bad we both want to be the first! It's back on! Unfortunately Ack Attack and Rocky faced some mechanical issues and were never able to complete a pass this is so sad and frustrating I'm sure for the team. Great job to everyone involved and thank you for being a part of my Bolivian race family! See you next year for sure the team has located a plane that is going to try to land right on the salt next year!!! Won't ever have this shipping issue effect the event again! I'm sure it would have been exciting to have the opportunity to race with such friends this year!!!
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Folks argue about what a "land speed record" really means. I guess without FIM sanction it isn't real so Bill Warner's 311.945 at Loring doesn't count..... much. RIP
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In my opinion there is no absolute land speed record because the speed achieved is tied to the venue. Just like you can't compare El Mirage records to Bonneville records, you also cannot compare the Bolivia Salt Flat record to the Loring record held by Bill Warner. It is just apples and oranges. Ralph Hudson's record is amazing but that was almost ideal conditions, almost like driving on asphalt and in a special event where he could make a run anytime he was ready - not waiting in line for days.
Don
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So what weight do people put on the contention that as altitude increases, lowering the density altitude, the available oxygen that forced induction motors can gather increases their advantage. Thus we would expect to see NA records to be higher at sea level (Gairdner) where there is more available oxygen and forced induction classes be able to exploit the lower drag at altitude ( Salar de Uyuni)..??
Or, are the effects no where near proportional, thus the ideal is somewhere near the altitude of Bonneville?
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Waiting to see how Erin and Ralph's bike's preform at Bonneville, then folks, we can compare and analyse :-)
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So what weight do people put on the contention that as altitude increases, lowering the density altitude, the available oxygen that forced induction motors can gather increases their advantage. Thus we would expect to see NA records to be higher at sea level (Gairdner) where there is more available oxygen and forced induction classes be able to exploit the lower drag at altitude ( Salar de Uyuni)..??
Or, are the effects no where near proportional, thus the ideal is somewhere near the altitude of Bonneville?
I believe that aero drag goes up by the cube of the speed. If power is lost linearly or even by the square of the air density, then going up in altitude is mo-betta. what you lose in HP, you more than gain in Cd.
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Someone may want to fact check this but I think FIA/FIM make no distinction where and under what conditions you set a record only that you meet their criteria to do so. FIA was present at at least one DLRA meet I attended and FIM was at the Bolivia meet. Venue specific meets are different. In 1995, SCTA would not recognize records set at Lake Gairdner due to altitude disparity. I guess airport tracks do the same in that each keep separate records.
John
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Both drag and NA power are proportional to air density, so classically, analytically, it is a direct tradeoff--a change of air density shouldn’t make any difference.
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Aero drag goes up as square of speed, HP needed goes up as the cube. IO is correct but I think there is no free lunch and somehow the drag reduction and HP reduction never quite equal out in the real world..... :wink: :cheers: