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TWFSWB's Firs Public Exposure

To: land-speed@autox.team.net
Subject: TWFSWB's Firs Public Exposure
From: drmayf <drmayf@mayfco.com>
Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2005 12:10:32 -0700
This past Saturday, the World's Fastest Sunbeam (Wannabe) made the trip 
to El Mirage in the Southern California Desert. The trip was quick and 
hot, on the way back the truck's air temp gage hit 127 degrees. The dry 
lake bed was in the 90's but there was humidity making for a higher heat 
index.

The Sunbeam got in the Tech Inspection line and waited it's turn. When 
Jim and Mike (or was it Jim and Jim) came to inspect the car, I 
explained to them what I was looking for: that is, have I missed 
something that is required by the rule book that I have not adequately 
covered? I explained that I might need the extra time to correct any 
deficiencies before Word of Speed in mid September. I also explained 
that I was waiting on my fire suit, my  helmet and safety belts so there 
was no need to wast their time out in the sun.

My experience was VERY positive. I could not have asked for more 
informed or caring people to look over the car. They started at the rear 
of the car and worked forward. They noticed that I had no push bar, but 
also noted that per the rule book for me it was not required. However, 
it would be very good to have. I agreed and jotted that down. They 
looked at the chute mount and made no comment. They looked at the 
trailing link restraint system and had no comment. They looked into the 
trunk with no comment. Jim climbed into the cockpit and checked it out 
pretty well and I demonstrated how the switches were layed out and what 
my priority was in shutting the system down normally and in an 
emergency. I showed how the parachute release works and how th engine 
fire bottle is immediately accessible from the chute release. I showed 
the same for the driver fire bottle release. Jim mentioned that when I 
get in and suited up that I should make the arm restraint for the left 
arm fairly short to prevent my hand from getting outside the body and 
that the right restraint should just barely let me reach the master cut 
off switch. I thought this was a great suggestion. They looked at the 
fire bottle mount, and the water injection system. They checked to make 
sure that the wheels responded to the turn input from the steering 
wheel. The hood was opened and I pointed out the pan/header fire nozzles 
and the extra nozzle by the throttle body to cover the fuel rails. They 
turned the wheels lock to lock and mentioned that I needed to add a bit 
more clearance between the left front tire and fender lip. Right side 
was good to go. They looked under the front of the car. Jim looked hard 
at the hod pins I had made and suggested that something additional may 
be required. That while the hood opens to the front during a spin lots 
of air gets under the hood putting the pins under quite a bit of stress. 
I agreed that I could add something. Jim also mentioned that with the 
short wheel base and 850 hp this was going to be a fun ride...fun in the 
sense it was going to be a handful. He suggested I start looking for 
weight and where to put it. He also said I would most likely need the 
rear spoiler...all things I had already decided that were going to be 
needed.

When I was standing there along side the car, Jim and Mike (Jim) quietly 
conferred and said, "I don't see one single thing wrong". I thought that 
was significant and had Jim notate that in my log book. I know that each 
event is a start over but this meant something to me personally. I have 
worked hard on this car, peppering the lists with many questions and it 
seems to have paid off. The beer is on me at WOS.

In summary, the car needs to have a push bar, some better or additional 
hood fasteners, some additional fasteners on the deck lid and a mid seat 
back brace. These were the only items that were recommendations; no 
rules violations or corrections were noted. I will do these for sure 
plus some other things: Get the fire bottles inspected by the local fire 
extinguisher company, get my seat belts installed, practice the bail out...

I want to thank the SCTA organization for taking the time to do the 
inspection and for having some inspectors who had my safety and well 
being in mind as well as the rule book when they looked over the car. It 
was a positive experience for me and a memorable one.

I re-made some old friendships, made some new ones. I hope I have made 
amends with Dave Frieberger from HOT ROD and Keith and Tonya Turk. Ed 
and Linda Van Scoy were there and I hadn't seen them is a couple of 
years. And especially Glen Barret. Others whose name I have forgotten 
please forgive me, it is not intentional, just old age.

SCTA, thanks for the experience.

mayf






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