Shootout 2009

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Sorry for the interruption -- but now I've got thecomputer back again.  Bub ran a slow run with motor still running poorly -- and Chris drove it right through a mile marker.  Gee, I guess Joe Amo and I have to welcome Chris Carr to the club, hey?  The bike isn't back here in the pits as far as I can see.

Speed Demon is down at the far end and about to start getting ready to prepare for initiating the starft sequence to they can run.

Buckeye Bullet ran a disappointing 203 or so and is back at the pit now.

Jet bike is anxiously awaiting a turn to run -- I believe he's next in line after Speed Demon makes an attempt.

Missile is still in the pit, and Steve is wrenching on the 757 Camaro and will make another run later today.

The course is now locked down for the Speed Demon run (on a 7.5 cylinder motor).  The run hasn't started -- but we've got to get people to stop moving and stay in position, clear the course and the pits, etc.  Hey -- I'm sitting about 50 feet from the Speed Demon pit -- directly in line with them.  If George doesn't hit the brakes just right -- I get t-boned.

George is getting in the car now.

[RayTheRat]

While we're all waiting for some news of any kind, I guess I'll put my two cents worth in.  To paraphrase Mark Twain, "The reports of my Last Hurrah have been greatly exaggerated."

Everytime Denis fires up Lucky 7 it gets the old adrenelin going again.  If all goes well the Vincent streamliner, Black Lightning will be at the Mike Cook Shootout in 2010.  I'm planning to by pass the Bub Meet next year.

                                     Max

Great news, Max!!!  Maybe I'll get a chance to get some shots of ya settin a record.  Look for a PM from me, k?

[Freud]

SSS, does that mean that only 3 people are eligible to wear the MILE MARKER PUNCH OUT T-shirts?

FREUD

[Glen]

You left out Sam Wheeler and a bunch of 4 wheelrs

[sabat]

Is there a minimum speed for entry?

[Freud]

I plead CRS......

The eligibility list has been fogged by margaritas and excessive temperatures here in Palm Springs.

The symbol of membership is a champagne cork and a fresh roll of Charmin, not a S...Brindle Brown colored hat.


FREUD

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Starting the engine on the Speed Demon.

Car is under way and coming fast.

Into the timed stretch.  Entry speed:   373

Chute's out!

On course, running smooth, slowing in the 7

[Freud]

Evidentally there is a lack of interest....only 95 watching.

SSS, build some drama to get the audience count back to respectability.

FREUD

[RayTheRat]

George Poteet popped the chute in the middle of the timed mile.  I don't know if they're gonna try for the 350-something record or not.

[RayTheRat]

There was a small fire in the Demon as it entered the mile.  They're assessing the damage now.  Jet bike is next up.

[RayTheRat]

Photos from the individual pit areas from earlier this morning:

Mormon Missile

Buckeye Bullet

Charlton Jet  Bike

Poteet & Main Speed Demon.

[John Noonan]

Ray or Slim

How many total people would you guess are on the salt at any given time during the private meet?


J

[RidgeRunner]

All great photos today Ray [like everyday].  

My imagination or the new lens really sharpening up the background/mountains?

[Malcolm UK]

John Noonan

There was an FIM class for thrust powered streamliners in 1999 when Richard Brown rode the Gillette Mach 3 rocket bike down the salt.  No record set, but the one way speed of 330.639 through the mile and 322.877 mph sets a standard under FIM rules.

Richard and I got the Auto Cylce Union (the UK equivalent of your AMA) to agree to a thrust class in 1996 and then the FIM in 1998 ready for the US trip.  The speed set by Richard on his 'sit on' Boost Palouste jet and rocket bike, which remains the UK record was 183.29 mph (average for two runs through a 1/4 mile speed trap in the middle of a 1.9 mile long runway).

Mike Charlton should be allowed to establish class records on his way to the outright record speed.  The Maximum Impulse team led by Richard hopes he does it, because it will liven up the world of motorcycling after ten years and at our tenth anniversary gathering next weekend give the team something to talk about.

Richard's website is www.jet-pack.co.uk

Malcolm

[RayTheRat]

More photos from earlier

Jack Rogers Camaro pits

BUB pits

Self explanatory (with obligatory 2 club hat)

Dave Cook from the Bullet team being interviewed by a documentary filmmaker.