Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

Saw this photo on the SCTA Facebook page.

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4x3qbtuz.jpg

I just thought it might be our own Elmo Rodge from the big cheesy grin on the front so PMed him and, sure enough, it was him. Went 136 mph at El Mirage.

Here are some pictures I took of him and his racer in March 2014:


http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...pse9c5aa74.jpg

Wayne and his car built out of a the belly tank from a WWII airplane. The front axle is from a 30 something Ford. The tires are dragster front tires. The windows were made by an aircraft manufacturer per Wayne's specifications. Entry is through the panel on the roof that opens up.

Here's from the rear:
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...psc5c92251.jpg

Right behind the cockpit is the 15 gallon water tank that holds the water to "cool" the engine for it's short run without a radiator. It has standard Ford rear axle tubes shortened attached to a special differential that has quick change gears on the rear end. The silver tube is for the parachute released by the black cable on top of it. He's fabricated a real cool cover for the tube out of a Ford hub cap (forget which year). The engine is on the stand at the far wall and the transmission is under the plastic at the front end. The cable on this side of the parachute tube is an external shut off.

Looking into the cockpit from the left side:
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1eee72e8.jpg

The silver knob/lever on the far right releases the parachute by pushing it forward. The 8 ball is the transmission shifter. Above that is the starter button, then ignition, then fuel pump switches. Just ahead of that partially hidden by his knee is the inertia kill switch to shut off the engine in the event of a crash. The steering wheel is removable to get in and out of the cockpit and has a tachometer mounted to the middle of it. The gauge above that is air/fuel mixture. The net below it is to keep Wayne's feet and legs from leaving the vehicle if it crashes.

The cockpit from the right side:
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4a03a45b.jpg

The red tank above the net is the fire extinguisher for the front end that is activated by the black knob left of his left hand. The silver lever next to that activates the hydraulic brakes. The gauge above his left knee is water temperature. The yellow light above that is a shift indicator for the transmission.

Wayne reclining in the driving position:
http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4b32b0dc.jpg

There are pads on each side of his head that just barely clear his helmet to keep his head from getting knocked around if he crashes as well as pads on each side of his shoulders to keep them lined up with his head if he crashes. He looks between his knees out the front window and has some side view through the side ones.

Re: Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

farr owt!!!

Re: Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

Re: Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

Atta boy, Wayno, boy racer.

Re: Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

Elmo is the man. Way to go Bro.

Re: Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

Tom T and I had the privilege of meeting Wayne during the 2013 Speed week. Here are a couple of pics from that meeting.

Wayne's view from the cockpit.
http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/a...psc7c11ad2.jpg

Ready for a run on the salt.
http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/a...psadfee5ba.jpg

Re: Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

Beyond cool! Living the dream.

Re: Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

Way to go Wayno! Hope to see you at Bonneville this year ...

Re: Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

I A ER WOW GEE COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL !!!!!
Charlie ny

Re: Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

Hey way no,good fun?,
You need a blower on that,
Carol says hi.
Lawrie

Re: Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

Very nice! Got any pics of the engine?

Re: Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

These were the first real passes with the fuel injection. I'll have some data to look over after I recover from the trip and finish unpacking. There is plenty left in it. Wayno

Re: Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

I met him once!!!
Way to go Wayn--OH!!!

Re: Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

Congrats on your run at 136mph Wayne..........from the Jennings Bros.

Re: Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

Right on Mr. Wayno! Ya gotta drive 'em! You take it to the next level :)

Re: Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

Hey, WAY cool Elmo!!

Re: Wayno goes 136 mph in his belly tanker
 

yeeeeeehawwwww......keep on havin' fun.....Mike