Bill, wow, what a great description of a great ride...... Keith is a great
guy to let you do that. Really happy for you!
John (still grinning and telling stories from my ride in Lionel's S-10 at
B'ville) Backus
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Bennett" <benettw@earthlink.net>
To: <land-speed@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2000 10:56 PM
Subject: My First Landspeed Ride! LONG
> Well folks it was great at Maxton temps were just right maybe just a
> little too windy at times.
> Saturday, after deciding to try again Sunday for the 200, Keith asks
> me if I am ready for my first pass in a real race car. He didn't have
> to repeat the question! Hell Yes we ain't up at the line yet. Let me
> preface this by saying that I have spent my share of times in 11 and
> 12 sec street racers but nothing like this. A real race car with real
> horsepower. Putting on the fire suit (purple at that) was no real
> chore but made reality seem closer. The real fun begins as I try to
> squeeze my tall 6' 2" body through the roll cage. Needless to say a
> Monkey chasing a football had better luck. With that out of the way
> and settled as best I could in that narrow seat I begin to fumble with
> the belts. Nervousness had not set in yet. Once the belts were tight
> enuff that it almost hurt to breath I begin putting the sock and the
> helmet on. Hey what happen I can't see as much. I am not a
> claustrophobic person, but this was getting a little close quarter
> now. Ok now the sweat is beginning to pour off me yes I am nervous!
> Gloves and neck collar are next no problem they fit better than OJ's.
> Now some last minute words of wisdom from Coach Keith and a few word
> prayers for me. Ok now time to fire the motor off. I definitely wanted
> it to fire right off, took a little but it finally came to live. Oh My
> GOSH I am sitting inside some kind a raving monster! Gently I work my
> way to the line remembering what Keith had said about the clutch. Made
> it now where is that dang Flagman. Can't see over this massive hood
> scoop sitting right in front. With hand signals try to let Keith know
> I can't see him. With this finally communicated Keith gives me the
> wave. I off here I go. WRONG! Stall the car no problem. Hit the button
> she roars again. Take it to 3 grand and slowly try it ease into the
> clutch. Stalled it again is this sign or what! Not wanting to stall I
> 3rd time I gave it what I thought would be more then enuff and patted
> the clutch enuff to get a good roll going and eased into the gas. Hey
> I am off and running! Coming up quick is that dog leg and I don't want
> to change gears there so I shift into second early and ease into it.
> Remembering this thing has gobs of torque once it gets moving. Hey I
> feel pretty good now just keep my head on straight and don't lose
> track of what I need to do. For the life of me I don't know why I
> short shifted to 3rd at 5500 instead of 7000 like I was told. Well
> anyway with all this noise I am making I must be hauling butt. Now
> this feels great but tunnel vision sets in and I am worried about the
> end of the mile coming up. So I shift into to 4th hoping to cross
> throw the lights at about 6000 but instead it was closer to 5000. Wow
> ok now pull the chute. Wonder what this is going to feel like, didn't
> feel it hit hard hmmmmmm! Well push in the clutch put it in neutral
> and shut it down. Ok now locate the short shut down. There it is. Can
> I get it slowed down in time to turn in? Press a little harder on the
> brakes, feel the car begin to shake a little bit. No problem that's
> just the rough concrete. Now just coast past the course watchers and
> glide to a stop. WOW what a RUSH my first pass maybe I got 115-125.
> Needless to say I was really surprised when the new tow truck driver
> "Keith" showed up and informed me it was a whopping 98.901 MPH. Ah It
> could have been 50 mph and I would have been happy. Wife finally had
> to tell me to shut up my mouth was faster than my driving. This will
> always be most unforgettable run ever. THANKS KEITH!!!
>
> Bill Bennett
> "Southern Salt Terror"
> http://home.earthlink.net/~benettw/
>
>
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