Piston-engine, wheel-driven land speed record, 2012

[RayTheRat]

It's likely that there will be a new FIA Category 11 Land Speed Record for wheel-driven, piston-engined cars this year.  The current record is 415.896 mph (669.319) for the "flying mile."  I don't remember exactly what it is for the flying kilometer, but it's pretty close to that.  Current record was set by Tom Burkland in the 411 Streamliner in 2008.  I've attached a photo of the liner as it entered the pits at about 100 mph.  Long story, but one of the chutes didn't open.  The whole series of photos is here:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/lsr/bsf2008/shootout/burkland/part3/Welcome.html

There are rumors that the Burkland team may bring the liner back for another attempt this year.  The car's already run over 450, but Tom had to back out of the throttle because of wheelspin (at over 450--!?!?!).  We'll see.  This liner runs 2 blown hemi motors (around 510 cubic inches and tons of horsepower each.)  Pretty healthy power if it can be applied to the tires and the ground.

Another very good candidate is the "Speed Demon" streamliner built by Ron Main and driven by George Poteet.  Photo of that one's also attached.  When I shot that one, the Demon was on a 462 mph run.  Unfortunately, for all the 450+ mph qualifying runs they made, they could never make a return run to back up the record.  FIA requires 2 runs in opposite directions within 1 hour.  (FIM allows 2 hours for bikes.  Go figger.)

The Demon uses a single engine, either 299 cubic inches (4.9L) or 342 cubes (5.6L), V8, twin turbos and an estimated horsepower output of over 2500.  Not bad for a 3 liter motor.  That car/team already owns 2 class records (SCTA, not FIA) over 400.  Photos of last year's "Top Speed Shootout" on the salt (which include the Demon's efforts) are here:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/lsr/bsf2011/04-shootout/pix/Welcome.html

Finally, the team I'm associated with, Treit & Davenport, may have the car ready to make a test run soon and if that goes well, then a record attempt will probably take place soon after.  The photo I've attached is of a 1/10th scale model, since the car isn't completed yet, but is gettin real close:
http://www.target550.com/index.html

That liner also runs a pair of blown Hemis and while one has been run on the dyno, no hp figures have been released...."sufficient" is the word that's been used.

Here's what I find to be interesting:  Burkland and Poteet & Main want a record over 450.  Treit & Davenport are shooting for 550.  All the teams are very capable and if Poteet & Main ever quit breaking drive train parts, they should have a real good chance of exceeding 450.  If "our" liner is finished, we otta be able to blow the FIA record completely into orbit.

Stay tuned for high speed stuff.

[Otto Puzzell]

Very cool!

[Ultra]

Sweet!  Keep us posted.

[faksta]

Any news... It'll be interesting to read them here indeed. And good luck!

[RayTheRat]

You can follow the progress of the Treit & Davenport liner's construction (almost finished) at http://www.target550.com/index.html .  We do an update post every week.  The last one was on 03/30/2012 and it shows a lotta stuff being assembled and bolted onto the frame, including some of the outer skin panels which are riveted rather than bolted. 

When the LSR season starts, I'll be doing photographic (and some narrative) coverage of each event...there's no internet connection on the salt so I use my Android phone to tether my laptop and post my coverage to http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/board,1.0.html .  That's the main forum and when the first meet gets close to starting, there will be an "Official Speed Week 2012" thread started.  You'll probably recognize the forum style, since it's the same as this one.

Here's the 2012 schedule (so far):

Speed Week:   Aug 9-17 (the first 2 days are setup and pre-tech inspection)

BUB Speed Trials (motorcycle only): Aug 25-30

World of Speed: Sep 6-11 (the first 2 days are setup and pre-tech inspection, just like SW).  I'm planning to race my car again and see if I can get more than 3/4 of a full throttle pass before something breaks:



Then I get to dash back to my house with the race car and trailer, then dash back to the salt for the Top Speed Shootout, Sep 15-19

and finally, while the World Finals dates haven't been announced yet, but will probably be Oct 6-11.

Somewhere in there the T & D (Target 550) liner should have a test run.  I don't know where or when, but just this week it was stated that it'll possibly be in "early fall", whatever that means.  But I'll be there for that one, too. 

Ohh...there's one more.  The North American Eagle (a jet fighter without wings, speed goal: 800 mph) should have a high-speed test sometime "in the near future" and I've weaseled my way into getting on the "team roster" so that I can be there to photograph the testing.  See http://www.landspeed.com/ to follow their progress. 

I better go to bed right now so I can start building up a reserve of sleep....right.  I wish it worked that way.

If people on this forum would like, I can make an announcement every time I update the Target 550 website with the latest photos.  I already do that on Facebook, my Chevy Asylum site and the "HAMB" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7615186#post7615186 and I could just make this part of the routine.

Lemme know, k?


More as it happens.

[RayTheRat]

A weekly update to the Target 550 website.  There are 36 images showing the progress being made with re-assembling the streamliner after disassembly for paint, plating and powder-coating of parts.  The different coatings make for great photos with a lot of color contrast.  Oh, yeah...the team is also making great progress with it.  The photos were shot while the team principle, Marlo Treit was at the shop where the liner is being built...several hundred miles from where Marlo lives.  He got a chance to to some very close inspection of the progress being made.

I found an interesting thing in the post: a "trompe l'oeil" (trick of the eye) that shows up in several of the images.  Initially there was just one such photo, but after Doc Freud (photographic master craftsman) and I talked about it, we decided that some others could be added.  I found 'em to be interesting, but then like mama used to say, "simple things please simple minds."  I guess I have to plead guilty to that.   

Here's the link to the latest post:

http://www.target550.com/gallery/167_reassembly_is_progressing/index.html

and a "teaser" photo that shows some of the hand-crafted parts that have been plated or anodized:



If this is something that members would like me to continue (or not continue) please let me know.

RtR

[Otto Puzzell]

I'm lovin' it. Makes me want to assemble another Salt puzzle.  

[Ultra]

If this is something that members would like me to continue (or not continue) please let me know.

RtR

Please continue!!  I have been trying to get members to contribute outside the puzzles since day 1.  I can't thank you enough for being one that does.

[RayTheRat]

Thanks for the good words, Ultra.  I'm adding today's update in a new thread.

[Stephen M]

Great reading, please keep the updates coming. One thing I'm missing, though; where are the details on your own LSR car (the Monte?) Does it have a page somewhere?

[RayTheRat]

Yes, there's a pretty lengthy (and probably pretty boring) build diary at:
http://chevyasylum.com/85monte/Welcome.html

The story of the 2011 Salt Flats attempt is here:
http://chevyasylum.com/85monte/85monte28.html