Heading home with no new records is not normal for us. I told Don yesterday that setting a record is not as easy as he has made it look for 5 years. From what we hear from other racers, our disappointment is more normal. Although he was awfully disappointed, he is already making plans for fixing our fuel distribution problem and get back on the salt next year.
We all had a great time. We love being on the salt flats & trying to set a record. Besides, let's all not forget that I drove almost 162 MPH and that Marilyn Grimes is now licensed to drive up to 150! Watch out Wellsville.
Don & I realize that we could never do any of this without the support of our crew - some of whom have been with us since we started in 2000. This year our crew was fantastic - sticking with us through some really long and tiring days.
Thanks to (pictured above from left) Dave & Loretta Heigle, Marilyn & Ken Grimes, John & Jane Rickey and our rookie, Marlene Deringer.
Ups & Downs
Another day of ups and downs. On the up side, Marilyn Grimes drove on salt! She ran 133+ mph – she had to drive between 125 and 150 for her first license run. Perfect.
We got Don in line for another run – but something is wrong. He only ran 142+ and we don’t know exactly why. As I type, the crew is checking the timing and trying to figure out why the engine is not running as it should.
We will take one more run today – if we are still under the record we will probably begin the long process of cleaning up and packing up.
More later.
So close!
We are so close, but so far, no cigar. Our run this morning was actually a little slower than yesterday. At that point we decided to put Jane in the seat and let her drive. Don is still trying to figure out why we aren’t going fast enough!
Jane was nervous and very hot, but was able to go 161.725mph! Doesn't that really round up to 162??? The picture shows her headed down the track trying to build up speed.
Whew. That was fun.
The crew is trying to make some other changes and then Marilyn will drive for her license. She will have to drive over 125 but under 150 to qualify for a Class D license. Then she can try for a Class C which is over 150, but under 175.
We are currently shut down because of wind – we are hoping it dies down so that we can get Marilyn in the driver’s seat.
Progress - Days 2 & 3
Well, yesterday was interesting too. We made a pass early in the morning with not much improvement. Don decided to change to the carburetor since the fuel injection was not getting up enough horsepower at the higher RPMs.
The women headed back into town for various tasks while the guys worked on the car. After 4 hours of “thrashing,” they returned to Wendover with the car ready to go on Wednesday morning.
Don drove again and was able to pick up about 12 miles an hour. We are still about 3.5 mph under the record, so the crew is working in the pits on some fine tuning and we hope to make another run this afternoon.
The plan all along has been for Jane and Marilyn to drive at some point. We have talked Don into driving until we qualify for a record, or decide that we are going to make it. At that point, we will decide who will drive.
More later.
Making Adjustments
Well, it had to happen sometime. I think this is the first year that we didn’t head to impound after our first run. What that means is we didn’t exceed the current record on a qualifying run. It wasn’t because we didn’t try.
The car started and run well until Don hit the higher gears and it just kind of flattens out. As I type this, Don, Kenny Grimes, John Rickey & Marilyn Grimes are working on changing the rear end gear in hopes of getting more horsepower.
On the good side, the car handles beautifully, the weather is spectacular and we have the best crew on the salt.
Dave Heigle has joined us as he heads back to Ohio on his motorcycle. We can’t wait to hear all about the trip to Alaska. Marlene Deringer is a first timer on the salt and appears to be loving it. She has volunteered to do any job except drive the race car. Loretta is her efficient self getting lunch for all, taping our car number on the windshield of THREE cars, and much, much more!
Our trip out was great with stops at the Speedway Motors Smith Collection for the gear heads and at Promontory Point for the history buffs.
Yesterday we breezed through inspection after the normal 4 hour wait. The waiting was made much easier when our CA friends who live in Salt Lake came out for a visit.
Now we hope that we can get this 1947 Buick engine to go faster. Don will continue to do the driving until we can sort out the engine stuff. If at some point he determines that it isn’t going to break any records, Marilyn & I will begin driving – really, how many women do you know who have driven on the Bonneville Salt Flats??
I will keep you posted.
