Bonneville Photos and Videos

 

This page has nothing to do with ProjectVF but everything to do with determination.

I was able to attend the 2008 World of Speed at the Bonneville Salt Flats. It's something I wanted to see since I was a kid and turned out to be one of the best racing events I've been to. Standing next to big-block engines with unmuffled exhausts and burning nitro methane was something I'll never forget. The owners were the friendliest people I've ever met. Pay a visit to www.saltflats.com and see for yourself.

If you want to see a modern lakester under construction , take a look this incredibly detailed website showing step-by-step how Sum's "Salt Bullet" is being built. It's powered by a 750cc Suzuki motorcycle engine and Sum hopes to reach 200 mph:  The Salt Bullet Website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below are some videos I put together. Each includes sound, so turn up the volume and listen to 'em howl across the salt.

 

Back to the ProjectVF Photos and Videos Gallery

 

 

This lakester was in the B/FL category, which meant an engine from 373 to 439 cubic inches, running on fuel (something exotic) and classified as a lakester, which has a streamlined body and exposed wheels. They were trying to beat the existing record of 298.15 mph but only reached 234.8. In my opinion, this was the most beautiful car there. The finish and details were amazing.

Click on the image to watch the video in Wav format (11 mb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This streamliner was built in 1949 by racing legend and engine builder Don Vesco. The car was modified several times over the years and is still a formidable competitor. Don unfortunately died in 2002 but his son Rick is keeping the dream alive. For 2008 the car was in the C/GS category, which meant an engine from 306-372 cubic inches, running on ordinary gasoline and classified as a streamliner, which features enclosed wheels. Rick was trying to beat the existing record of 323.46 mph but only reached 276.92. Take a look at the history of this car by visiting www.TeamVesco.com/history 

Click on the image to watch the video in Wav format (16 mb)

 

 

Click on the beautiful lakester to visit the Photo Gallery.

 

 

 

 

Here's a truck powered by a pair of diesel engines fed by a giant turbocharger. Their class was U/HH3, which according to rulebook means an unlimited diesel truck. They were trying to beat the existing speed of 176.89 and reached 178.15 for a new record!

Click on the image to watch the video in Wav format (21 mb)

 

Here's a pair of formidable cars competing for records in different categories. The first (shown) was in the A/FS category, which allows an engine from 400-500 cubic inches, running on fuel and classified as a streamliner. They were trying to beat the existing record of 348.52 but only reached 266.31.

The second car was in the XF/BFL, which translates into experimental, with a 123-183 cubic inch engine with a blower (supercharger), burning fuel and classified as a lakester. I can't find out what the speed they were trying to beat, but they ran at 133.26.

Click on the image to watch the video in Wav format (21 mb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a compilation of several motorcycles. Unfortunately I don't know which classes they were in or what their speed was, but they look and sound great. Given the chance, I'd ride any of them. Wouldn't you?

Click on the image to watch the video in Wav format (15 mb)