Shootout 2009

[daudet]

Thanks Ray for the update on the snowmobile.. i was wondering what my neighbor was up to with is sled.
good to ear that they are back up and almost running.

Thanks

[RayTheRat]

A bit about the Missile:  They were afraid that they might have flat spotted the tires when it spun.  They're fine.  No flat spots. 

Two Mikes' reactions when I told 'em to smile purdy.

[DrofRockology]

Just a quick note - Once again the JCB DieselMax Team has shown to be tru LSR Bonneville racers. They know how much effort they put into reaching the speeds they ran and seem to really appreciate the efforts of their competitiors. From Andy Green to the bitchin guy that got to drive their Push Tractor, they were and are a good bun ch of guys. Pat 

roger that!

class act.

bravo!

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Flat spot the tires?  How'd they have done that?

[desotoman]

Speed Demon update:

Kenny Duttweiler checks the computer mapping.

Then he blips the throttle as Mark reads the computer.  It sounded real good.

Russ, Mark and Gary (left to right) ready the trailer for loading.

And it's loaded!  They left for the 12 mile about 10 minutes ago.  Jon's gone to see what he can find out.

RTR,

Thanks for the great pictures. Oh, by the way HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!

Tom G.

[McRat]

A bit about the Missile:  They were afraid that they might have flat spotted the tires when it spun.  They're fine.  No flat spots. 

Two Mikes' reactions when I told 'em to smile purdy.

Caption:

"Yes, it's supposed to smoke like that.  It's a diesel.  "

[John Noonan]

I am interested on how the canopy was able to open up while it was going through a low speed spin?  How secure is it at 300+ ?

J

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Okay -- Speed Demon is at the 12 and ready to run as soon as the various course watcher vehicles are in place.  Gotta go secure the pits -- right back.

Speed Demon is running.

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Bad run.  Engine sounded rough as he entered the mile -- running at 325 but slowing, chute is out and he's about 2 miles from the pits.  Running done for the day.  "Popping and farting" as he went through the mile.

Speed Demon is back to the tarp in the pit.

Bub bike is about ready to run, I hear.  Must be at the Floating Mountain end -- I don't see them here.

[Glen]

Mannings not going to run???

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Chris Carr asked, and it was done, that the cones here in the pits be moved around so he could use the smoother salt for his takeoff.  Cones are moved -- he's gone back to the other end, I guess.  I'm getting cornfused.  I'll click and get back to this post in a nimmut I mean minute.

How'd they do that?  All of a sudden Bub, Chris, and the whole team are parked right in front of me here at the pits.  The bike's still on the transporter but being pulled into position per Chris's wishes.  Delvene just rode up on her XL250 Honda -- I doubt that she'll try to pace the #7, but who knows? 

The Bub bike is right smack in front of me -- about 30 feet away.  Sure looks nice in the late afternoon sun.  Wind is now about 4-8 down the course -- tailwind for Chris on the down run.  Funky looking patch on the left rear of the bodywork - from where the fire damaged it at the Bub meet.

Looks like they're going to take off a side panel -- unscrewing some fasteners.

[mayner]

Yii...

Thanks for the updates! This is driving me bananas though. I guess I'd be going just as nuts if I was there. At least the weather's nice here in Ventura.   

[Freud]

Is there any chance that the conditions well be adequate this meet for Bub to run?

FREUD

[Seldom Seen Slim]

The engine has been warmed, and Chris is suited up.  The exhaust sure smelled a bit stronger than pure alky -- kinda made my eyes burn.  Wonder how much they've tipped the can. . .

They're positioning the bike under the lift now -- about to put it on the salt.  The side panel is back on the bike -- was removed just for the warm up.  The laptop has been disconnected.

Mike Akatiff and Ken Puccio (did I spell that right) are here to watch.  FIM Charlie is standing by, too.

Bike is on the salt.  Transporter is being rolled away from the bike.  Chris is suited and chatting with some crew -- about thirty feet from the bike.  Dennis is walking around nervously, looking into the cockpit, helping roll the bike forward.

Being told by Mike Cook that the 'chutes are released from the bike -- the bag and pilot fall away, and please don't anyone but Bub crew pick them up.

[Freud]

92 watching and waiting.

FREUD