BONNE AT BONNE AND RECORDS FALL
Pontiac had high hopes for it's 2000 Bonneville that was built and driven by
famed salt flat racer Mike Cook. Competing in the E/Supercharged Production
class at the 52nd Annual Bonneville Speed Weeks this past August, the
intention was first to break the 200 mph barrier and then go for the record
of 209 mph.
All this with a production based 2000 Bonneville that was fitted with
required safety items including a fire system, a roll cage and a parachute.
A modified version of the original supercharged V6 produces more than 455 hp
and a modified 4T65E transaxle was fitted with 2.56 gears. A full belly pan
was added and the body was dropped 4 inches to aid aerodynamics and moon
wheelcovers and Bonneville spec 16 in. tires were installed. The stock
interior (save for the seats), the CD player and even the A/C system
remains.
Cook has 30 years of racing experience and is the Chairman of the Board of
Bonneville National, Inc. He describes his third of the three attempts
made, "At about 3 miles out the computer shutdown. Up until that point the
car was accelerating very, very well and handling just fine." The
Bonneville's best official speed was 195.048 mph with an exit speed of
195.585 during the final attempt. Cook stated that he has great confidence
in the Bonne and is expecting to eclipse the 200 mph mark and break the
class record in October, during the next event.
Despite the near miss of the 2000 Bonneville, records still fell at the
hands of Pontiac drivers. John Rains and Jeff Carroll pushed their -89
Trans Am to three...count 'em...three records in three different classes
including E/Production Supercharged (256.789mph), E/Blown Altered
(254.886mph), E/Blown Gas Altered (275.161mph). "e used the same car on all
three runs," Rains explained. "We just made some adjustments to our '89
Trans Am that allowed us to compete in each category."
Jeff Kugel piloted his 1992 Firebird to a new B/Blown Gas Altered record at
293.814 mph. Team partner Mike LeFevers joined the 200mph club on his first
attempt and set a record in the detuned -92 bird for B/Blown Gas Coupe
running 260.139 mph. Who says Pontiacs aren't fast? - Thomas A. DeMauro
Happy Reading-
Todd D
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