Sale Slideshow
Our Bonneville experience is over, but hopefully it is just beginning for someone. This car is up to the current Bonneville safety standards having passed 2013 tech inspection. The car holds 7 current records with 4 different engine configurations.
Email us with any questions at landspeed@columbus.rr.com.
The End.
Our CA/CO friends Paul & Dana arrived last night & we had a nice dinner catching up with them & trying to give them an idea of what to expect when we get to the salt.
Well, when we got to the pits this morning, the crew took the starter off & checked other stuff under the hood. Not good. A fried spark plug and damage to the head – piston pieces all over. As Don said, “It’s terminal.” Extremely disappointing for a guy and a team that has had pretty much nothing but success on the salt. We have come out here 11 years and, except for 3 years, returned with at least one record, many years two records.
So sadly, Paul & Dana didn’t get as much of the salt experience as we had hoped they would. We will spend most of tomorrow packing & cleaning our “stuff.” We are trying to sell the car, the trailer, even our tow vehicle – but our luck this week hasn’t really been the greatest so we aren’t expecting a sale.
I am going to close now and maybe tomorrow or the next day I will write a more reflective piece. Right now we are just dealing with the disappointment. Luckily, Don & I have the most supportive crew possible. Thanks to the Grimes’ and the Martins for sticking with us through thick and thin.
Day Two showed no better results unfortunately. Kenny ran it again today, but about half way through the 2nd mile smoke started coming out into the cockpit. He shut it down and pulled out Don has some ideas – starter went bad, alternator belt bad. We are going to try to get those repairs done and try again.
Our main goal now that the records appear out of reach is to get the girls (Marilyn, Sue, Jane) a ride.
We were glad to have Bob Searles and his friends back this year. They were joined by Bob & Veronica’s son, Mike, who lives in Reno. Always happy to more supporters.
Welcome to the final chapter of the McMeekin Brothers Landspeed experience. We arrived on the salt yesterday with our incredible crew, Ken & Marilyn Grimes and Bill & Sue Martin. Getting through tech in record time, filling up with fuel, we headed out for our first run before noon. Unheard of for a Saturday of Speedweek. Even though there are over 500 entries, there are no lines. We arrived at the start of Course 2 and were almost the next in line to run. Kenny jumped in the car and ran 169+ which is fast, but not quite fast enough, the record is 174+.
Well, we have had better days. Don made a run this morning to test a few theories but actually went slower with the engine flattening out on the high end. Since it was running rich, we all decided we wanted him to make one more run after leaning the jets down.
The engine was pulling great ... best run of the week going ... then the "BOOM!" He will have to take the engine apart to find out exactly what blew, but we are hoping for a fix that won't break the bank! Have to fill in that information after we get home.
In spite of not setting a record, we have had a wonderful time. The ladies were disappointed at not getting a run, but each of us was happy that it was Don that blew up the engine and not one of us!!
We are all already planning on coming back next year. Don loves a challenge and this Ford Windsor is certainly that!
Can't report a new record yet, but not for the lack of trying. We made 3 runs today, trying new things each time. All of our improvements led to a little slower speeds. What is that about???
Don continues to drive hard and we have ONE final adjustment to make and try to break 174.02. After that we will let the ladies drive.
We are having a great time and always love "playing around" on the salt flats.
Monday hasn't brought a record yet! We have had two runs in the same speed range. But, I have to say that the mechanics are undaunted! Ever the persistent problem solvers, we already have a plan for tomorrow. We only need about 3 mph! Is that too much to ask????
There is always work to do in the pits, and there is ALWAYS salt to be cleaned off the car. I really miss John Rickey (and Jane) when it is my turn to wash!
As always, we have the greatest crew. This year Ken & Marilyn are making their 9th Speedweek. Sue & Bill Martin are back again this year. Bill & Ken worked over the winter to turn our trailer from a virtual trash pit into a real race trailer. Please note the before and after picture below.
Wish us luck for tomorrow. We have a new rear end gear coming tomorrow. :)
Hello from the Salt Flats 2012
The McMeekin & Grimes team arrived on the salt Sat. morning after an uneventful trip from Ohio. That is good. We like uneventful on the trip out.
Inspection went smoothly, as it always does due to Don’s diligence in checking out all the rules and regulations before coming out. Since there had been a rain storm on Friday, the road up to the start line (4 or 5 miles from the pits) was pretty wet, we decided to wait and start running on Sunday.
Sunday, August 12
The crew decided that Don would drive for the record, since he knew the car and engine best. Our first run Sunday was a respectable 168.73 but since the record is 174.08 we needed to go a little faster … which we did the next run – 173.28. That is a little faster, just not fast enough. A third run yesterday of 168.84 and then we decided to call it a day. A little tuning in the pits & then home for the evening. Better luck tomorrow.
The highlight of Day Two on the salt was the fan base! Carol & Earl Zarbock not only drove over from Salt Lake City to spend the day with us, but they also brought lunch. I tried to talk them into coming every day, but they do have lives back in SLC. We also had a visit from Bob Searles of Westerville who was out here with some college roommates. We love having adoring fans. Now if we can just get the Fan club to do a fund raiser!
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.
Our CA/CO friends Paul & Dana arrived last night & we had a nice dinner catching up with them & trying to give them an idea of what to expect when we get to the salt.
Well, when we got to the pits this morning, the crew took the starter off & checked other stuff under the hood. Not good. A fried spark plug and damage to the head – piston pieces all over. As Don said, “It’s terminal.” Extremely disappointing for a guy and a team that has had pretty much nothing but success on the salt. We have come out here 11 years and, except for 3 years, returned with at least one record, many years two records.
So sadly, Paul & Dana didn’t get as much of the salt experience as we had hoped they would. We will spend most of tomorrow packing & cleaning our “stuff.” We are trying to sell the car, the trailer, even our tow vehicle – but our luck this week hasn’t really been the greatest so we aren’t expecting a sale.
I am going to close now and maybe tomorrow or the next day I will write a more reflective piece. Right now we are just dealing with the disappointment. Luckily, Don & I have the most supportive crew possible. Thanks to the Grimes’ and the Martins for sticking with us through thick and thin.
