David, Bryan, List,
Having watched the Vesco car through several engine installations and
watching their progress, I'm reminded of the Mormon Meteor that Ab Jenkins
ran on the salt in the 1930's. Mormon Meteor II was a specially built body
on a Duesenberg chassis designed for racing. Running a Duesenberg engine in
it's first configuration it was not competitive with the airplane engine
powered British cars of the day. With the installation of the Curtiss
Conqueror airplane engine and new body work it instantly became a record
setting car, rebadged as Mormon Meteor III.
The Vesco car is a true hot-rod. It, like the Burkland's car is home built.
Rick like Gene just happens to have exceptional skills in that area. It has
had American automotive engines (one year an attempt to use an Offenhauser
or two) over the years it has run on the salt. Al has stayed with the
Chrysler engine since that car was first built and run as a lakester as far
as I know. I have a problem with your decision because the Vesco's are only
doing what other racers have done in the past ... going with the powerplant
that gave them the most horsepower.
If you will consider the 444 Vesco car recently campaigned by Terry Nish, it
set records with everything from a Riley 4-port conversion on a model A
engine to the "Fastest SB Chevvy on planet earth." Where do you draw the
line there? Aftermarket speed equipment or blocks that never saw the
Chevrolet factory? Or in Al's case, how much of his powerplant is actually
manufactured by Chrysler? All of the big three automakers experimented
extensively with turbine engines in the fifties and sixties ... what if they
had been able to solve clearance problems and other concerns? How many
additional turbine engines would be running today on the salt?
Obviously I'm only raising questions, not volunteering answers. However my
opinion is that the 111 car is a true, wheel driven, hot-rod in every sense
of the word.
Wes Potter
on 9/6/01 9:20 PM, Bryan A. Savage Jr at basavage@earthlink.net wrote:
> David,
> I haven't made up my mind yet because I'm not sure what it will mean.
> When you say "piston-driven" that would leave out a multi-mazada-engined
> Streamliner, right?
> And do you mean "Automotive piston-driven" or any powerplant with
> pistons such as a motorcycle engine or an Indy Honda?
> Also if the Streamliner has multiple engines, must all of the
> be "piston-driven"?
>
> David please don't take this wrong. As you know, strange stuff shows
> up at Bonneville.
> The tank engined lakester stopped me dead in my tracks.
>
> I can certainly see the need to revisit the Trophy qualifications. Until
> recently the trophy went to a "Hot Rod" which I define as something that
> could be built at home, in a private shop or auto repair business. While
> I respect, admire and support all of the fast teams, there's a special
> place in my heart for the way racers like Al Teague do it.
> As a kid I could dream about doing what Al has done, even if it would
> only be a dream. The reality was was wonderful (I/BGS)
>
> The Vesco's and Burkland's leave me in respectful awe, but not dreaming
> and for me, Hot Rod was about dreams.
>
> I'm glad the decision is not mine David,
> Bryan Savage
>
>
>
> David Freiburger wrote:
>>
>> Since I'm sitting here editing the story, I thought I'd delve into
>> self-promotion and let you all know that the December 2001 issue of Hot Rod
>> will have a story on all the cars that have won the Hot Rod trophy at
>> Bonneville since 1949. For those who do not know, this perennial award goes
>> to the racer with the fastest one-way pass at Speed Week. The issue goes on
>> sale November 6th.
>>
>> Also, beginning in 2001, we've (Gray Baskerville and myself) decided that the
>> trophy will only go to piston-driven, wheel-driven vehicles. That's a bit of
>> a conflict, since it's already gone to Vesco's Turbinator twice. Any
>> opinions?
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