Another Record
Today started out quite early since we had to get to the pits by 6:00 am to get the car ready for the record return run. Today's sunrise was spectacular but we stayed focused on getting the car ready for the run. Towed up, got in line and the car wouldn't start. That has never happened to us. Had to take the hood off, try to start again ... nothing. A very nervous time. Clearly the engine was not getting fuel. As Kenny, our crew chief, diagnosed the problem, he told Don, "the throttle isn't working!" With that information Don was able to figure out the problem ... he was pumping the brake, not the gas pedal. :) You will have to ask him about that!
The engine saved it's best for last ... smooth and fast ... and still without a first gear! His speed was 168+, making the new record 162+mph. Another Bonneville record for the McMeekin Grimes team.
Don & Jane would everyone who has supported us here on the salt and back at home, especially this year's crew, Ken & Marilyn, Bill & Sue, Dave & Tom! We had another fun year and are already planning next year's trip.
A Better Day
Two exciting things happened today! First, Sue Martin - wild, English teacher that she is - drove 112 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats! Way to go, Sue. There is a lot to remember to do when driving our little orange car & she did it very well. Ask her about it.
Second, Don hopped back in the car to take another run hoping to up our record from Monday. (PS - Marilyn & Jane said we weren't driving again until the mechanics fix the shifter!) He was able to go 156+ mph - still in only two gears. Also, driving back in the car after picking him up, we remembered that the crew had put in a rev limiter to keep the girls from over-reving the engine. So the fact that the car was still dropping off at high rpms was explained. ALL GOOD. Tomorrow we head out to back up the record and to pack up the trailer. As, I said above, a better day today!
SPEEDWEEK 2011
Some of you who might have regularly followed the McMeekin Brothers & Grimes Racing Team might be wondering WHAT IS GOING ON???? Here’s the deal … for the last four days we have “thrashing” on the salt. Quick summary:
Don & Jane were joined by long time crewmembers, Kenny & Marilyn Grimes, and rookies, Bill & Sue Martin. Yahoo!
SATURDAY
Arrival and inspection. Lots of work and fun seeing salt friends and getting the pits set up. Dave Heigle and Tom Moore came in on Sat. evening to spend Sunday with us. Unfortunately they didn't see much from the McMeekin/Grimes Team that day!
SUNDAY
Marilyn drove, but had trouble with the shifter & trouble with heat. Both unavoidable. The shifter wasn't working too well & it was very, very warm. We had her suited up in the big orange fire suit for at least 45 minutes. Whew!
Jane also drove on Sun. but turned out after two miles because she couldn’t get it into 3rd gear!! The team headed back to the hotel on Sunday evening and saw a wonderful film called “The Boys of Bonneville,” which focused on the life of Ab Jenkins, famous salt flats racer. Excellent film. Ask us about it.
MONDAY
Headed out to the salt early on Monday morning so that Don could take a test run. Don drove hoping that the issues yesterday had been driver error on the shifting problem, and found that even HE couldn’t get it into 3rd gear. In spite of that, he was able to exceed the previous record, which was EXTREMELY soft (107 mph). So we were able to go to IMPOUND. Don
TUESDAY
Tuesday morning out early to the salt for the RECORD RETURN RUN. We just love watching the sun come up over the salt. Don backed up his run from yesterday with a 148mph today!!! Another record for the McMeekin/Grimes Team.
But … Don was still not happy with the shifting and felt like he still wasn’t getting everything he could out of the engine. So Don and Crew Chief, Kenny, decided to change from the fuel injection system to the carburetor that we brought along. Thank goodness, Bill Martin, master carpenter and mechanic, and Steve Robey, carb guy, along since we had to cut a hole in the hood for the carb and then try to stop all the leaks!
Went out to the line for another test run by Don. NOT GOOD! Could not get the speed up above 113! Racing brings lots of challenges. Not the least of which is finding why an engine that you so carefully built isn’t doing what is expected. The crew did a little diagnostic work before leaving the salt. We will see how it goes on Wednesday.
