The Red Baron competed unstreamlined - without it's fairing - for the final event of the 2021 season in the Modified, Pushrod Blown Gas (M-PBG) class. Smitty and The Red Baron had already set the record in this class at 108.476 mph in May 2018. The goal was to break the record, hopefully going around … Continue reading Nov. 2021: El Mirage *New Record*
Oct. 2021: El Mirage *New Record*
Competition Class: 350-cc MPS-PBGModified Partially-Streamlined ChassisPushrod Blown Gasoline EngineStarting Number: 47 (Group 2)First event with family! RUN OBJECTIVE: BREAK THE REOCRD The Red Baron was tuned up after September 2021, since the cylinder head temps were nice 'n' cool with new engine ducting providing ram-air cooling evenly to the front and rear cylinders. A thinner head gasket upped … Continue reading Oct. 2021: El Mirage *New Record*
Sept. 2021: El Mirage
The run wasn't perfect, but still reached a speed of 120.996 MPH, my personal fastest run ever!
Jun. 2021: El Mirage *Rookie Runs*
Last weekend was my rookie event as a rider at El Mirage Dry Lake, after 7 seasons as crew chief! The goal for the day was not top speed, but rather (1) break in the engine after getting the cylinders replated and installing new rings, and (2) evaluate the ergonomics of a new seat and … Continue reading Jun. 2021: El Mirage *Rookie Runs*
Bonneville Day 8 NEW RECORD
For the second day in a row, on the last day of the event, Smitty and I left the motel in Wells, NV at 4:15 AM to drive for an hour to the Salt Flats. We also lost an hour changing timezones. On the salt, we hitched the Pathfinder to the trailer in the impound … Continue reading Bonneville Day 8 NEW RECORD
Bonneville Day 7 “Qualifying Day”
After waiting in line ALL DAY yesterday, we decided it would be better to let a few people pass late in the day to ensure we would have cooler conditions today for the air-cooled motor, and Smitty. We left the trailer in line overnight and returned the next morning. We left our hotel at 4:15 … Continue reading Bonneville Day 7 “Qualifying Day”
Bonneville Day 6 “In line”
Because of salt conditions, every vehicle attempting a record was running on the same course: the 4.0-mile "long" course. In previous years there were four separate courses (7-mile, 5-mile, 3-mile, and a rookie course) but a wet winter and continued mining operations made this year difficult. Check out Save the Salt to see the good … Continue reading Bonneville Day 6 “In line”
Bonneville Day 5 “Rookie Rumble”
After waiting three days for the salt to dry sufficiently, we are finally racing! Smitty is a "rookie" rider at Bonneville so we began at the 1.0-mile rookie course. We ran an oxygenated gas, chosen to make up for the loss of ambient oxygen due to altitude, which turned out to be less than ideal. … Continue reading Bonneville Day 5 “Rookie Rumble”
Bonneville Days 2, 3, 4 “Hurry up and wait”
Saturday morning began with the driver's meeting. I got my first glimpse of the massive scale of Bonneville Speed Week with all the participants -- drivers, riders, and support crew -- all gathered together. It felt like a reunion of speed-chasers! (This is also my first event as an official Gear Grinder!) We spent the … Continue reading Bonneville Days 2, 3, 4 “Hurry up and wait”
Bonneville Day 1 “Technical Inspection & Registration”
Soggy Salt Flats We arrived to some soggy Salt Flats on Friday after rain on Thursday... racing delayed until at least Monday... Technical Inspection & Registration The Red Baron made it through technical inspection with flying colors! The newest addition is the alcohol-and-water anti-detonation injection (ADI) system that can be used as needed for cooling … Continue reading Bonneville Day 1 “Technical Inspection & Registration”