Speedweek with 777

We wait at the 5 mile marker for Dennis to drive the 777 rear engine modified roadster through the final time traps. It can take quite a while waiting for each car to make a run.

Back at the pits the car gets worked on and friends visit. We go get lunch from the Red Flame to feed the crew. I brought the condiments, so we worked out a system to buy the burgers and bring them back to prepare them.

After the car drives through the 5 mile, we continue down the return road to about the 7 mile to help Dennis get out of the car. Bobby and Dawna are always right there as Dennis pull off of the course. They help him take off the helmet and neck restraint system and get out of the car. While we were at the end on this day, so many cars were running and pulling off right where we were.

Tuesday morning and in line to run again. The guys can't figure out why the car isn't going as fast as expected. There are lots of opinions!

In line to run on Tuesday 16th.

Mike makes a last check on things. 

Finished the pass, still not pulling the speeds. They expected 280 mph, but only made 265 (not a bad speed). 

Driver and owner are stumped. 

Grant and Shannon! 

Mike, Roy and Donnie. 

Wednesday morning, going to give it one more try. Carl made new exhaust pipes from some tubing he got from the Kiwi racers in the pits next to ours. Waiting in the gas line.

No line on Wednesday, you can push on up just about anytime when you're ready. 

The car went about 3 mph faster with the new exhaust, but still not good enough.

Pack it up and put it on the trailer.

Team picture with the auto timer. Shannon, Grant, Donnie, Mike, Carl F.,

Dennis, Pat, Roy, Bobby, Dawna and me. 

Taaa-daaa! 

Shannon and Dawna. 

Back at the pits, Mike, Mikey and Art pose for a family snap-shot.

A young man who lived on Art's street as a younster, stopped by to show him his old car.

Perfect opportunity for Shannon to bring out her drawings of Art Chrisman. He was so gracious to take the time to sign everyone's art. And it was blazing hot at the time.

Art and Mike, buds!

The car was cleaned up and put on the trailer. The pits were torn down and packed away. Each vehicle headed downtown to the do-it-yourself car wash, to remove most of the salt from under the cars and trucks.

Wednesday evening was the Bonneville 200 MPH Club Banquet. It was the inaugural induction of the 400 MPH Chapter. There were 12 new inductees that had gone over 400 MPH. Al Teague was there to accept for himself and also for Bob Summers. Al with Roy and Art.

Roy with his two bestest buddies, Pat and Mike Kinne.

Pat introduced Art Chrisman as one of the original members of the 2-club. 

We headed home on Thursday morning at 6 am.

We stopped for dinner at Peggy Sue's Diner.

No problems on the drive home, so that was a great day.

Kathy

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday

Hello to all who are reading this blog post. Sorry I haven't been posting as often as I had hoped. The day starts early at 6 am. We eat, head out to the salt, racing starts. Before I know it, time for bed and start it all over again. This week has flown by and tomorrow is our last day here.

On Sunday a storm blew in. There was plenty of lightning in the hills, but it didn't bother us on the salt flats. By the time we drove back to the hotel, it started to pour rain and the lightning was striking very near in the hills behind the hotel.

The next morning, Monday, the salt was wet driving to the pits, but the race course was dry enough to run cars.

Here's Dennis getting out of the car after a run. This week has been a challenge for the 777 Team. The car first went 264, then the next run was 263, then the next run was 262.

On Sunday evening, they took 265 pounds of lead out of the car for Monday's run; still slower.

They changed the gears on Monday evening for Tuesday's run, did not go any faster.

Grant and Shannon, both are big helps. Grant's official job is lifting and reaching. Ha Ha.

Me with Dawna, we both try really hard to stay out of the sun.

On Sunday, Mike and Art Chrisman and friends drove up to Bonneville. They showed up to our pits on Monday afternoon. They will be attending the Bonneville 200 MPH Club banquet on Wednesday, then head home. We will also be going home on Thursday.

Tomorrow is Wednesday. The guys made new exhaust pipes for the car to see if that may help with speed. I'll let you know how that goes.

I'm going to sleep.

Gentlemen Start Your Engines

Saturday is the first day of racing, after the driver's meeting.

We put the car in line for a pass.

Carolyn, Pat, Dennis, Me... Carolyn and her beau, Don and 4 of their friends, flew to Wendover in Don's airplane. They landed at 10 am. Carl and I picked them up in our cars and dropped them at the starting line. Then I headed to the 5 mile marker to watch and video Dennis making a run.

The first attempt was a turn out. The second run was 264 mph. Dawna helps Dennis remove his helmet after the run.

It was a good run, sort of a shake down of sorts, as the motor was completely rebuilt.

One of the nicest looking cars on the salt, I'm not prejudiced.

We ended the day at 6:30, and fully beat!

Tomorrow we will run the car first thing. Having fun!

First Days on the Salt

Drove to Bonneville on Wednesday. No major problems, just a few pull-overs.

Thursday morning we were on the salt by 7 AM.

 Set up the pit area and headed directly to Tech Inspection.

Shannon and Kenny Hoover getting reacquainted in the tech line.

Dennis and the car passed inspection.

The 777 with its new windshield and cockpit.

Back to the pits and fire up the car. 

Evening socializing in Roy's Room, fully stocked bar

sponsored by Sherry Kinne. Thank you Sherry!!!!

Drinks and snacks enjoyed after a long day in the sun.

Friday night cruise in at the Wendover Nugget.

Saturday we start running the car down the long course. Results to follow.

Getting Ready for Speedweek 2011

FINALLY! The car is being readied for Bonneville.

Roy is just used to being ready months in advance so this year

is sort of delayed, but everything is being done

and will be ready in time.

 While the motor is on the dyno at the engine builders,

the car takes a quick trip next door to Squeak's Metalworks,

 for some custom alterations.

Squeak, Roy, Sal and Cruz.

Roy (and I) get started installing the bellhousing and transmission.

We did it!

On Saturday, July 16th, the 777 Team put the engine

into the car.

Some drove from the Valley to Santa Ana, during Carmagedeon!

Made fastest time.

I was doing my Full-Bore assembly and packing work.

I had to use this saw that blew sparks all over. I didn't have an apron to cover

my nylon blouse and feet, so I found a surfboard cover.

It did the job.

The following Saturday, July 23rd, was fire-up day.

A happy driver should be going fast, very soon.

Julian Alvarez stopped by with his car. The original Creighton Hunter

roadster. Creighton put these eyes on the car and Dean Moon

asked if he could copy them for some stickers. The rest is history.

Almost ready to go.

The Team, Pat, Dennis, Roy, Mike and Donnie.