David, I hope you took
notice of WES POTTER'S post
on this topic!!!! :) :) :)
WES, THANK YOU VERY
MUCH, for putting into words what
many of us feel. I had been holding
off my comments, until I see that you
perfectly summarized my view.
Thank you David for listening :) :)
Joe and Judie Amo :)
wspotter wrote:
> David, Bryan, List,
>
> Having watched the Vesco car through several engine installations and
> watching their progress, I'm reminded of the Mormon Meteor that Ab Jenkins
> ran on the salt in the 1930's. Mormon Meteor II was a specially built body
> on a Duesenberg chassis designed for racing. Running a Duesenberg engine in
> it's first configuration it was not competitive with the airplane engine
> powered British cars of the day. With the installation of the Curtiss
> Conqueror airplane engine and new body work it instantly became a record
> setting car, rebadged as Mormon Meteor III.
> The Vesco car is a true hot-rod. It, like the Burkland's car is home built.
> Rick like Gene just happens to have exceptional skills in that area. It has
> had American automotive engines (one year an attempt to use an Offenhauser
> or two) over the years it has run on the salt. Al has stayed with the
> Chrysler engine since that car was first built and run as a lakester as far
> as I know. I have a problem with your decision because the Vesco's are only
> doing what other racers have done in the past ... going with the powerplant
> that gave them the most horsepower.
> If you will consider the 444 Vesco car recently campaigned by Terry Nish, it
> set records with everything from a Riley 4-port conversion on a model A
> engine to the "Fastest SB Chevvy on planet earth." Where do you draw the
> line there? Aftermarket speed equipment or blocks that never saw the
> Chevrolet factory? Or in Al's case, how much of his powerplant is actually
> manufactured by Chrysler? All of the big three automakers experimented
> extensively with turbine engines in the fifties and sixties ... what if they
> had been able to solve clearance problems and other concerns? How many
> additional turbine engines would be running today on the salt?
> Obviously I'm only raising questions, not volunteering answers. However my
> opinion is that the 111 car is a true, wheel driven, hot-rod in every sense
> of the word.
>
> Wes Potter
>
> on 9/6/01 9:20 PM, Bryan A. Savage Jr at basavage@earthlink.net wrote:
>
> > David,
> > I haven't made up my mind yet because I'm not sure what it will mean.
> > When you say "piston-driven" that would leave out a multi-mazada-engined
> > Streamliner, right?
> > And do you mean "Automotive piston-driven" or any powerplant with
> > pistons such as a motorcycle engine or an Indy Honda?
> > Also if the Streamliner has multiple engines, must all of the
> > be "piston-driven"?
> >
> > David please don't take this wrong. As you know, strange stuff shows
> > up at Bonneville.
> > The tank engined lakester stopped me dead in my tracks.
> >
> > I can certainly see the need to revisit the Trophy qualifications. Until
> > recently the trophy went to a "Hot Rod" which I define as something that
> > could be built at home, in a private shop or auto repair business. While
> > I respect, admire and support all of the fast teams, there's a special
> > place in my heart for the way racers like Al Teague do it.
> > As a kid I could dream about doing what Al has done, even if it would
> > only be a dream. The reality was was wonderful (I/BGS)
> >
> > The Vesco's and Burkland's leave me in respectful awe, but not dreaming
> > and for me, Hot Rod was about dreams.
> >
> > I'm glad the decision is not mine David,
> > Bryan Savage
> >
> >
> >
> > David Freiburger wrote:
> >>
> >> Since I'm sitting here editing the story, I thought I'd delve into
> >> self-promotion and let you all know that the December 2001 issue of Hot Rod
> >> will have a story on all the cars that have won the Hot Rod trophy at
> >> Bonneville since 1949. For those who do not know, this perennial award goes
> >> to the racer with the fastest one-way pass at Speed Week. The issue goes on
> >> sale November 6th.
> >>
> >> Also, beginning in 2001, we've (Gray Baskerville and myself) decided that
>the
> >> trophy will only go to piston-driven, wheel-driven vehicles. That's a bit
>of
> >> a conflict, since it's already gone to Vesco's Turbinator twice. Any
> >> opinions?
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