[Land-speed] Worlds Fastest Sunbeam - The Rest of the Story, Day 3, Wednesday, Part A

[Larry Mayfield]

  Wednesday, in two parts
First day of real race activity.  As usual, we did our breakfast thing 
at the red Garter and headed out. Had to be on the salt and at 
registration by 8 am for the driver's meeting. They had moved it up an 
hour or two to get more racing it.  Fair number of folk at the meeting.  
The rules of racing etiquette were explained to all of us after the 
blessing and special mentions they always do. WOS uses the long course 
for 150 mph club cars, who go to the 3 mile markers, and for the rest of 
us who may or may not get to the 5 mile markers.  If there is trouble, 
turn right to the inside of the course and they send response vehicles 
to help. Normal is turn left.  There are graded turn offs about every 
quarter mile along the way.  there is a shorter course where the 130 mph 
club car race and it is limited to , I believe 1 mile.  We don't run on 
it, lol.  But, lots of folk do. This is basically you street car with 
basic safety equipment. I believe the cars need to be licensed.  We 
drove the long course as we always do, noting any particular ugly spots, 
like loose salt or big ruts made by the high power cars of Speed Week.  
Ruts are not much fun. Back to the pits. We go by the fuel trailer and 
get our 16 gallon barrel filled. Yikes, it gets more expensive every 
year! But, the gasoline we use is the very best I have ever seen for a 
turbo or blown car.  We Use ERC's A8C gasoline and I will use nothing 
else, ever, lol. Back to the pit.... fuel the car and lock down the deck 
lid and put in all the small braces from the spoiler to the rear 
valence.  Funbeam Chuck helped immensely with all of that.  Decided to 
reload the tune into the A9P and tweecer again. Same freaking issues as 
Tuesday. Does not seem to want to work. But finally we get it to upload 
and data log. Grab the gear and go. Now folks, lemme tell you what is 
required for the driver when a front engined blown car over 175 mph is 
involved.  The driver is required to have an SFI 3.2A/20 fire suit. Now 
that is about 1/2 inches of fire resistant materials and hotter than 
hell. Pant ans tunic. Must have arm restraints sewn into the sleevers of 
the jacket. Must have Sfi 3.2A/15 funny car boots.  I forget what the 
Sfi is for the gloves but they are funny car gloves as well. A SA2005 
helmet is required.  I am a fat old guy and with all of that on, I look 
like a blue Michelin Man, lol.  A hot sweaty Michelin Man....  We start 
putting al off that on when we get to about car 6 or 7 in line on our 
side of the starting line. They run 150 cars on one side and salt cars 
on the other.

see part B

mayf