This is a somewhat lengthy Top 10 Thank You list that involves religion and politics, so if you are sensitive to either one, better stop reading now.
Dropping a new car on the salt, running an initial shakedown run and following that with two world record runs doesn’t just happen by chance. And even if it was all dumb luck, well, I would rather be dumb and lucky than smart and unfortunate. Besides, you have to be ready to seize the opportunity if dumb luck does occur. In our case, it was mostly hard work, perseverance and creativity in the face of looming deadlines. The Harder You Work, the Luckier You Get. There was lots and lots hard work and sweat, that’s for sure.
1] Thank You G0D
Or whatever your religious persuasions lead you to believe created the great Salt Lake. What an incredible place. Billiard table flat for 240 square miles. And it’s made of salt that’s always wet, either a little wet or a lot wet. In any case, it is extremely difficult to drive on, compared to asphalt or concrete, but that’s what makes it so compelling. It will kick your ass most of the time, so when you do come out on top, it is really and truly special. A religious experience, if you will.
2] Thank You to our Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and everywhere else evil lurks
Our Armed Forces perform a thankless task, day in and day out. Without them we would not have the Freedom to be able to pursue adventures such as this one.
3] Thank You SCTA – BNI [ Southern California Timing Association - Bonneville Nationals Inc. ]
These are the volunteers that make it all happen. They are volunteers. They give up days and weeks of their lives for the sport of Land Speed Racing. There is not a bunch of nicer men and women on the planet. These people are amazing in what they do, and how they do it, and they make it possible for us to run as fast as we can.
4] Thank You Steve Schmalz and his crew at Performance Fabrication
Shameless plug: Performance Fabrication 1701 Industrial Road, San Carlos, Ca. 94070 650-595-3663.
What an incredible car Steve has built, along with Scott, Greg, Butch, Greg2, David and Curt. Steve’s absolute foremost concern was and is the safety of the driver. No shortcuts were taken in that aspect, or any other aspect for that matter. The rest is just plain old engineering genius, good old fashioned craftsmanship and pride, and relying on gut feel and intuition earned over many years of building really fast cars that are consistent performers.
5] Thank You to Courtney Hines and The Cad Co
Shameless plug: The Cad Company 505-823-9340
In his own quiet and unassuming way, Courtney built a 40+ year old 500″ Caddy engine, with a 2 bolt main and cast iron crank into a power-plant that took us to 340 MPH on our 3rd run, with more left over! One of the coolest parts of our Bonneville adventure was when people asked what engine we were running, and you could see them start to hear Big Block Chevy….. but then we said Cadillac, everyone would do a double take and ask “what did you say?”
6] Thank You Kenny Hoover
He’s our driver, a guy who always believed, never gave up, sacrificed something like 17 Thursdays to get us the special wheels we needed, and was always there with support and encouragement. He drove with the experience and professionalism obtained by setting 39 previous land speed records. This was record #40 for Kenny …… and he waited 26 years for the oh so elusive 300 MPH Chapter Blue Hat. We are so happy that he got it. Well earned and well deserved.
7] Thank You To Josh Held, Ken Rappaport and Charles Lenzini
These guys took off time from work to join us. Josh spent several days prior to the event at Steve’s shop helping tremendously with the thrash. We wouldn’t have gotten out on the salt, or wouldn’t have performed as well if he wasn’t there. He’s building his own Streamliner and you can be sure that when it gets done, we’ll be there helping him. Ken is our aerodynamicist, and judging by how well the car ran and handled the air, everything he said was true. Right on Ken. Now, what about stock market tips? Charles is a friend of Ken’s, who came along for the ride. I don’t think he knew quite what he was in for, but within minutes the shock wore off and he was in there right in the thick of things helping us on anything and everything we needed to get done.
8] Thank You to our Supporters
These are the people listed on the main body of the car. They paid $25 to help support our project. We sent them a T shirt and other stuff, but the most important thing is knowing we have their support. This is a group effort, no doubt about that.
9] Thank You to our families
As they started to wonder where we were all the time in the weeks prior to the event. Some of us worked till 4:00 am, went home, took a shower, made breakfast and went back to the shop for more….. And our families not only put up with that, they understood and supported our dream.
10] Thank You Pete Chapouris
Yes, THE Pete Chapouris, of Pete & Jakes, The California Kid and now So-Cal Speed Shop fame. Pete called me up and told me about a good deal on a streamliner for sale, and that there wasn’t any time to think it over, to just trust him and jump on the deal. So I did that. I made a phone call and bought the car that we modified a lot of of to end up with what we have today. But if it wasn’t for Pete and his phone call to me, none of this would have happened. Pete; I am immensely grateful.
Thanks,
Amir Rosenbaum #86