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Speed Record Clubspeed on wheels, water and wingsWork in Progress - May 2008Contents: Windjet stalls.New snow falls and poor weather conditions at Canyon Ferry in Australia have put the brakes on a record attempt by the Windjet ice yacht as it stood in early February. The team were waiting for the snow to melt so that they could hopefully test on the Spring ice. However, after waiting for nearly a month, Richard Jenkins ran out of time, and has stored the craft locally. He plans to return in December to catch the best of the conditions. The other Windjet is still in Reno, USA, and the team are working on it in case the conditions there allow serious speeds. North American Eagle ready to “fly”.The latest from Ed Shadle on his plans for 2008.... ”No really BIG news. We've finished digitally mapping the entire vehicle and we're using that data to design our high speed fairings and to analyse any potential problems at very high speeds. We do have a group of Aerodynamics and Aeronautical engineers that work in the business and are volunteering their time and equipment to do the work. We've scheduled an engine run at full power this coming weekend so we can be sure all systems check out before we go back to the desert for more testing. Technologically we are in pretty good shape. Financially, we're struggling. I think Richard Noble has been down that same road so he knows what we're up against. It does seem odd that we cannot find financial backing considering all the publicity we have generated to this point and we haven't really done anything significant yet. We will be conducting our next tests some time in the first half of this year but have not selected a test site or a specific time.” Ian King top fuel motorcycle.Ian is three times European top fuel champion, and runs with a British made Puma engine. ”We are in the process of manufacturing our own 3V cylinder head, changing the fuel and clutch management components, changing the bodywork with new panels and paint, new RacePak datalogger system to replace our ageing one, new style of Puma engine with large output bearings, new billet dry sump system, bigger fuel tank.....” Top Oil Ack Attack news.See Fast Facts 69 for the latest news Project Inspiration. UK Steam Car Challenge.Full progress report up to March 2008 can be found in Fast Facts 69 Golden Hawk progress.”There is not much to report from here at least that is of great interest to others. We have received some promised support from, BASF, H&H Trailers and the engines are being assembled (again) after a complete blue print and race spec being added as well as ceramic coating all the hot parts. The body is being readied for shipping to the body shop sponsor and we have been playing with the twin turbo configuration (pics) to test on the dyno. We will likely use only one special turbo donated by Holset. Murphy Aircraft Manufacturing (pics) is delivering the completed tail section on Monday. Made to look like the F-86 which the Golden Hawks flew. Oh yes, we will be demonstrating front centre show-line with an actual refurbished F-86 called HAWK ONE at air shows in 2009. We hope to be on the chassis dyno in four weeks and that proving satisfactory, then I will be getting the rest of the gear ready." Fossett car tests.A letter regarding the latest team news. ”The NAE is not the only team running into trouble at the present time. In case you did not already know, the Fossett team had planned to do a two-day low-speed test at El Mirage Dry Lake last week. Southern California rains delayed them a week. Their advance man got into an argument with the BLM official about putting fence posts into the playa surface. BLM said no; team member got angry. They then obtained a BLM permit for Tues. & Wed. of this week (Mar. 4-5). They will be allowed to erect some sort of barrier or cones around their pit area to keep prying eyes away from their secrets, but they will not be allowed to put any holes in the lake bed.” Charley Shaffer 800 Club Member The full letter can be found in Fast Facts 69 Rosco McGlashan latest.See Fast Facts 69 for the latest news Jet Bike news"Progress is steady. We have most of the body complete. We are now working on the canopy and wheels; through a series of events we have been in contact with Rosco McGlashan. He has offered some good advice and put us in contact with John Ackroyd, who hopefully will be able to help us with our wheel design. Here is an interesting story. We were looking for an air speed indicator so I called Tim Arfons. He said he did not have one for sale, but come down to the shop. He lives an hour away so I drove down and he shows me one which he says came out of one of his dad’s Green Monster land speed cars and that we could use it. Very cool!" Mike Charlton. |
