Well, that liner (Speed Demon) is very different. Most of 'em follow the theory that says you need lots of weight to maintain traction. This makes a humongous motor necessary just to move all the dead weight. Ron Main decided that he'd go the other direction when he built the original car which was built to prove that a flathead Ford motor could power a car to over 300 mph:
http://flatfire.com/index.htmThe car has evolved since then, first becoming the EcoFire, using a GM Ecotec motor. This was the form I first saw it in. I wasn't all that excited. But when I got involved with the team and started shooting fotos of the car 3 years ago, it had become the Speed Demon which had a much sleeker body and much larger vertical stabilizer. That's when it was using a Mopar midget motor. Not a downsized motor, but a pushrod motor used in midget race cars. Chrysler Corp makes special engines just for that use. I don't explain 'em, I just report 'em.
A bit of modification was necessary to use the "Hellfire" V8 motor, but not much. Back to the basic concept, it's much smaller and lighter than most other liners capable of speeds over 300 mph. It beats the hell outta me how they maintain traction with it, but I can tell ya that it has enough traction to twist an oversized driveshaft by 30 degrees and break another one completely. I think that'll be changed by the time the Shootout comes along. (Sep 20-24.) As I wrote, I've been told that it's likely that they'll use the bigger, "C" class motor since, "George wants that 450 BAAAD!" I think that's his goal: to own the outright piston-powered record and to be the first man over 450. He's already run 437 in it, so I'm sure he's capable of driving that fast. It's just a question of having all the ducks in a row at 2 precise moments in time: first to qualify for the record (and not break anything) and 2nd, to back it up within one hour.
In case that wasn't clear, the team will be running at the Top Speed Shootout in September which is NOT an SCTA-sanctioned meet. I'm not sure what will happen if the get the FIA record. I suspect that they'll come back and shoot for the SCTA record, possibly in 2011, cuz on the Hot Rod trophy, the names are engraved on a brass plate on the bottom portion. Right now, George has 2 consecutive entries: 2009 and 2010. No one else has done 3 in a row. I heard 'em talking about that, so I think it's a possible goal for them. That would mean that if they get the FIA record at the Shootout, they won't do any more racing with the car until Speed Week 2011. I know that's kinda like looking into a crystal ball, but it's my hunch.
r Sent from my Dreadnought using that barely tolerable Thunderbird email program On 8/22/2010 10:51 PM, humminboid@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
WOW! Streamliners sure look different nowadays. C.801-850-7279
