
	Bonneville Speed Week, 2017 David G. Fox Speed Week 2017 started out all carefully groomed and ambitious, with good weather and plenty of people. Salt conditions had seemed pretty good by comparison to recent years, but, during the event, there was impromptu work to be done moving the course (including timing equipment, etc., etc.) due to deterioration as record-chasing runs were made. The salt just couldn't hold up. The hard work did pay off, however, in terms of runs being made every day scheduled. Streamliners According to the SCTA-BNI website, prior to the 2017 Speed Week, George Poteet owned four blown fuel streamliner records: B at 416.511mph, C at 437.183, D at 422.509, and F at 343.494. Yeah, even at the Salt Flats, (engine) size isn't always everything. George set the B/BFS record last year in the new version of the Speed Demon; others stretch back to 2008. The A/BFS record of 409.986 belonged to Al Teague, and had stood since 1991. On the first day of Speed Week, George drove the Speed Demon, equipped with an A motor, to a qualifying speed of 418.168 measured through mile three. That qualifying run was backed up the next day for a new A/BFS record average of 423.521mph. Engine swaps were made, and the SCTA-BNI website indicates there were runs later in Speed Week in C/BFS and B/BFS, but none appeared to have qualified for and/or backed up a new record. Target 550 is after the unlimited AA/BFS record, currently 417.020mph and set by Tom Burkland in 2004. These photos were taken on the cue at the starting line on Monday. The only pass that shows up for #678 on the SCTA-BNI website was a "turn out" on that day. At target550.com, they suggest course roughness caused wheels to lift which resulted in shock loads that destroyed driveline parts. The name probably says the goal, but nobody said fast was easy. And, of course, the condition of the salt does not help. The gorgeous Ferguson and MacMillan gas streamliner was looking for the F/BGS record of 291.673mph set in 2009. Runs early in the week didn't look too promising, with speeds in the lower 200's through the first measured mile, then dropping off farther out. The SCTA-BNI website indicated a run measuring 306.933mph through the third mile on August 15, but it was not listed among the qualifiers for that day, and there were no subsequent runs. Going for broke, maybe? The newly rebuilt Turbinator II of Team Vesco was out, attempting to locate any teething problems associated with the revamp. The Vesco team owns the T3 Streamliner record at 427.832mph, set back in 1999. The best run during Speed Week 2017 for Turbinator II came on the second day, with 385.448 measured through mile three, leading to a 396.054 exit speed. According to their website, the speed through the "quarter" (the first part of the timed section) on that run was very promising, but excessive wheel spin kept the car from sufficient further acceleration during the rest of the pass. Their website also indicates the ultimate goal is 500mph. New on the salt this year is Ed Umland's #89 streamliner, built in his one-man operation, Eddie's Chop Shop. The record for B/BGS is 308.816mph, set by Haas racing back in 2006. So, with a fastest time this year of 197.782, recorded on Monday, Ed has a way to go. But wait, there's more about Mr. Umland later on down the page. Top Lakesters & Modified Roadsters Saline Solution 2, #623 XO/BFL, posted its Speed Week best at 198.861mph speed on Tuesday, August 15, with its vintage OHV six. The current record is 218.181, set in 2010. Zoom Zoom Racing's #551 F/BGL, went 205.114mph. Its best time was also on the 15th. The record is 246.663, from 2012. LeFevers & Jessel's #701 C/BGMR was timed at 215.883mph on Wednesday. This was versus a record of 263.676, set last year. Car #200, in class B/BFMR and owned by Derby Pattengill, did not appear to have completed a run. The record for the class is 253.475mph, set in 2006. Two Richards Racing had their best run with the #242 F/BFMR at 221.686mph on Saturday. The record is 231.959, set in 2012. Top Production-Based Racers Mariani Farms' beautiful D/STR (#46) ran 185.348mph on Sunday, versus a record of 219.661 from 2011. Ken Coe Racing went 161.314mph on Monday with the #6706 D/STR, also looking to top 219.661. Studebaker #9304, owned by Andre Moreau, ran 209.256mph Sunday on a 2009 B/GALT record of 241.028. Like the new silver streamliner shown earlier, the number 651 AA/BFCC was constructed by Ed Umland of Eddie's Chop Shop. This car was built for Richard Smith, and first ran at Speed Week 2016. There, Ed set the AA/BGCC record with the aerodynamically enhanced 1965 Barracuda at 275.121mph. This year, with Mr. Smith at the wheel, the big-Hemi powered car set a fuel record of 250.827mph, eclipsing the old record (from 2007) by just a tick under one mile per hour. On Sunday, the Anderson & Prothero #727 C/PRO Firebird showed its best time of 196.655mph against a 2000 record of 234.121. Proudly wearing its Talladega snout, Larry Wilson's Torino ran 214.546mph on Sunday. The C/GALT record is 235.226, set in 2011. The Stewart Family Mustang, #751 in C/GALT, had a best run of 177.142mph on Tuesday, chasing that same record of 235.226. One does not see that many Saabs on the Salt Flats. The Flying Pickle, #8600 H/BGALT, was timed at 143.494mph on Monday. It has gone faster in the past, with one variety or another motorcycle engine. Can you say turbocharged Hayabusa? The class record stands at 202.428, set in 2010. The Daytona Charger, #1001 A/PRO, had its best time noted this year at 219.898mph on Tuesday. The record shown for A/PRO is 243.617, set by Jack Rogers in 2012. The SCTA record list indicates this Daytona Charger owns the AA/CPRO and A/CPRO (where the C means Classic) records, both at just over 237mph and from several years ago. Corvette #294, from George Michel Racing, is in class B/GT and ran its best speed of 206.230mph on Saturday. The B/GT record is 236.937 from 2011. Evoking the spirit of the World's Fastest Indian is number 235B. The bike ran a respectable 186.415mph on Sunday, but the record for MPS-G 1350 stands at 223.237, set in 2011. Note, all speed and record data (and some spelling) presented above was derived from the official Southern California Timing Association website: scta-bni.org. Top Street Cars on the Salt Top Show Time at the Nugget Yes, these are three different cars. The safest parking spot in Wendover? Two years in a row of land speed racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats! Oh happy day. Top		Skip within to: Streamliners Lakesters & Modified Roadsters Production-Based Racers Street Cars on the Salt Show Time at the Nugget Or go to: Bonneville Main Page Fox-Kraft Home Page

Bonneville Speed Week, 2017

David G. Fox

Speed Week 2017 started out all carefully groomed and ambitious, with good weather and plenty of people. Salt conditions had seemed pretty good by comparison to recent years, but, during the event, there was impromptu work to be done moving the course (including timing equipment, etc., etc.) due to deterioration as record-chasing runs were made. The salt just couldn't hold up. The hard work did pay off, however, in terms of runs being made every day scheduled.

Streamliners

According to the SCTA-BNI website, prior to the 2017 Speed Week, George Poteet owned four blown fuel streamliner records: B at 416.511mph, C at 437.183, D at 422.509, and F at 343.494. Yeah, even at the Salt Flats, (engine) size isn't always everything. George set the B/BFS record last year in the new version of the Speed Demon; others stretch back to 2008. The A/BFS record of 409.986 belonged to Al Teague, and had stood since 1991.

On the first day of Speed Week, George drove the Speed Demon, equipped with an A motor, to a qualifying speed of 418.168 measured through mile three. That qualifying run was backed up the next day for a new A/BFS record average of 423.521mph. Engine swaps were made, and the SCTA-BNI website indicates there were runs later in Speed Week in C/BFS and B/BFS, but none appeared to have qualified for and/or backed up a new record.

Target 550 is after the unlimited AA/BFS record, currently 417.020mph and set by Tom Burkland in 2004. These photos were taken on the cue at the starting line on Monday. The only pass that shows up for #678 on the SCTA-BNI website was a "turn out" on that day. At target550.com, they suggest course roughness caused wheels to lift which resulted in shock loads that destroyed driveline parts. The name probably says the goal, but nobody said fast was easy. And, of course, the condition of the salt does not help.

The gorgeous Ferguson and MacMillan gas streamliner was looking for the F/BGS record of 291.673mph set in 2009. Runs early in the week didn't look too promising, with speeds in the lower 200's through the first measured mile, then dropping off farther out. The SCTA-BNI website indicated a run measuring 306.933mph through the third mile on August 15, but it was not listed among the qualifiers for that day, and there were no subsequent runs. Going for broke, maybe?

The newly rebuilt Turbinator II of Team Vesco was out, attempting to locate any teething problems associated with the revamp. The Vesco team owns the T3 Streamliner record at 427.832mph, set back in 1999. The best run during Speed Week 2017 for Turbinator II came on the second day, with 385.448 measured through mile three, leading to a 396.054 exit speed. According to their website, the speed through the "quarter" (the first part of the timed section) on that run was very promising, but excessive wheel spin kept the car from sufficient further acceleration during the rest of the pass. Their website also indicates the ultimate goal is 500mph.

New on the salt this year is Ed Umland's #89 streamliner, built in his one-man operation, Eddie's Chop Shop. The record for B/BGS is 308.816mph, set by Haas racing back in 2006. So, with a fastest time this year of 197.782, recorded on Monday, Ed has a way to go. But wait, there's more about Mr. Umland later on down the page.

Top

Lakesters & Modified Roadsters

Saline Solution 2, #623 XO/BFL, posted its Speed Week best at 198.861mph speed on Tuesday, August 15, with its vintage OHV six. The current record is 218.181, set in 2010.

Zoom Zoom Racing's #551 F/BGL, went 205.114mph. Its best time was also on the 15th. The record is 246.663, from 2012.

LeFevers & Jessel's #701 C/BGMR was timed at 215.883mph on Wednesday. This was versus a record of 263.676, set last year.

Car #200, in class B/BFMR and owned by Derby Pattengill, did not appear to have completed a run. The record for the class is 253.475mph, set in 2006.

Two Richards Racing had their best run with the #242 F/BFMR at 221.686mph on Saturday. The record is 231.959, set in 2012.

Top

Production-Based Racers

Mariani Farms' beautiful D/STR (#46) ran 185.348mph on Sunday, versus a record of 219.661 from 2011.

Ken Coe Racing went 161.314mph on Monday with the #6706 D/STR, also looking to top 219.661.

Studebaker #9304, owned by Andre Moreau, ran 209.256mph Sunday on a 2009 B/GALT record of 241.028.

Like the new silver streamliner shown earlier, the number 651 AA/BFCC was constructed by Ed Umland of Eddie's Chop Shop. This car was built for Richard Smith, and first ran at Speed Week 2016. There, Ed set the AA/BGCC record with the aerodynamically enhanced 1965 Barracuda at 275.121mph. This year, with Mr. Smith at the wheel, the big-Hemi powered car set a fuel record of 250.827mph, eclipsing the old record (from 2007) by just a tick under one mile per hour.

On Sunday, the Anderson & Prothero #727 C/PRO Firebird showed its best time of 196.655mph against a 2000 record of 234.121.

Proudly wearing its Talladega snout, Larry Wilson's Torino ran 214.546mph on Sunday. The C/GALT record is 235.226, set in 2011.

The Stewart Family Mustang, #751 in C/GALT, had a best run of 177.142mph on Tuesday, chasing that same record of 235.226.

One does not see that many Saabs on the Salt Flats. The Flying Pickle, #8600 H/BGALT, was timed at 143.494mph on Monday. It has gone faster in the past, with one variety or another motorcycle engine. Can you say turbocharged Hayabusa? The class record stands at 202.428, set in 2010.

The Daytona Charger, #1001 A/PRO, had its best time noted this year at 219.898mph on Tuesday. The record shown for A/PRO is 243.617, set by Jack Rogers in 2012. The SCTA record list indicates this Daytona Charger owns the AA/CPRO and A/CPRO (where the C means Classic) records, both at just over 237mph and from several years ago.

Corvette #294, from George Michel Racing, is in class B/GT and ran its best speed of 206.230mph on Saturday. The B/GT record is 236.937 from 2011.

Evoking the spirit of the World's Fastest Indian is number 235B. The bike ran a respectable 186.415mph on Sunday, but the record for MPS-G 1350 stands at 223.237, set in 2011.

Note, all speed and record data (and some spelling) presented above was derived from the official Southern California Timing Association website: scta-bni.org.

Top