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TWFSWB's Firs Public Exposure]

To: "land-speed@autox.team.net" <land-speed@autox.team.net>,
Subject: TWFSWB's Firs Public Exposure]
From: drmayf <drmayf@mayfco.com>
Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2005 20:00:58 -0700
Part 1 of 2

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 hood 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. 

continued in PArt 2

mayf

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