The Ford Barn

Init1 · 08-12-2016, 11:04 PM

Leaving tomorrow for Mecca. Salt conditions are great with 3 courses operable and the weather forecast is dry and in the mid 90's.
It's gonna be good!

Straightpipes · 08-13-2016, 11:49 PM

Great racing today, lots of flathead action. Welkers belly tank went 158mph. Faster tomorow after tweaking. Keiths coupe went 175.

mustang8 · 08-16-2016, 09:06 AM

Any new reports?

JM 35 Sedan · 08-16-2016, 10:29 AM

Was there in '12 for Speedweek, and just stopped in June '13 for a picture op. Wanted to drive out '14 or '15 in my 35 fordor but I think salt was in poor condition. Was thinking about this year but didn't think the salt was good, so did other shows instead. Will give some thought now for a possible run out there in '17.

saltracer · 08-19-2016, 05:32 PM

Lots of flathead powered cars this year. We ran 147 ish on a 149.7 record then eventually broke something in the motor. Others had much more success, Ronnie Roadster bump up the record in his class by something over FIFTY miles per hour and I believe the "Blonde Bitch" ran well also. Jerry Wortman set records possibly with two different cars.

russcc · 08-19-2016, 06:54 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Anyone know how it's going out there ?

RalphM · 08-19-2016, 09:05 PM

Id love to see a video of it.

Straightpipes · 08-19-2016, 09:44 PM

On our way home. Had a great week. We ran a y block 170mph and blew a hole in a piston. Flathead roadser ran 128mph fighting gremlins all the way. Lots of flathead action and some amazing engineering. The blonde bitch ran 165mph. Saw a team change a 59a head while waiting in line to run. Flathead heaven.....XFs are fun!

TomT/Williamsburg · 08-20-2016, 08:46 AM

Thanks for all the updates, Pipes - looking forward to next year ......

Elmo Rodge · 08-20-2016, 10:00 AM

I spent part of last weekend there. I started a new job a few months ago so getting off for a week and a half wasn't in the cards. I helped out a bit with the White Goose Bar cars whom comported themselves well. I had a great visit with Andy Welker while in line. Good job Andy. Had to leave about noon on Sunday but I got a taste. Next for me is El Mirage in September. Wayno

awelker · 08-20-2016, 10:42 AM

All things considered we had a really good week. After making a bunch of runs right around 165 I was starting to feel like I was just beating and old horse that refused to go any faster up the hill. The. Finally on Thursday we did $10 worth of duct tape aero on the rear axle and went 168.89 into a 6 mph headwind. Gave it one more try on the long course but it was so rough it was real slow. So after a week of 6000+ shifts we decided to go home with engine internals intact.

Glad I got to talk to you Wayno and always good to chat with Butch.

Only 4 more days driving to get home. Then start figuring out how to go faster.

VeryTangled · 08-21-2016, 08:51 AM

Hi Everyone, I just found Andy's website, and they blogged the trip. I'm reading it now. Here's a page that starts when they arrive at the salt flats.

https://vonwelker.com/2016/08/11/made-it-to-the-salt/

Okay I'm back from reading. Excellent reporting from the scene including pictures, videos, and a quote of the day like "Stop licking your feet" for one. It seems to be written by one of the wife's on the trip. Just great writing and reporting.

I didn't know you guys were so close to the DC Metro area, I'll have to reach out. I'd sure like to make the trip next year if the salt is open again!

If anyone is looking for a Blonde Bitch T-Shirt, they're available here... https://vonwelker.com/blonde-bitch-t-shirts/

Lawrie · 08-21-2016, 03:42 PM

Wayno , new job, whats this,
do northrop need a new test pilot.
lawrie

Elmo Rodge · 08-22-2016, 07:05 AM

Lawrie, you're closer than you think. Wayno

Ronnieroadster · 08-22-2016, 07:47 PM

First time for us running our rear engine modified roadster on the salt. Sunday afternoon the 8-BA Ford flathead that I machined and built with my son which is supercharged on gas qualified on the 139 record with a short coarse speed of 191.9 MPH that run was made at an altitude of 6733 feet and a temp of 92 degrees. Monday mornings backup run I ran 192.9 MPH the new record I set is now 192.448 MPH.
Next we put my son in the car after his rookie we changed class to fuel. On my runs the car ran well over the required 175 MPH on the short coarse at the 2 1/4 mile clock so we now have a long coarse qualified car.
With my son driving now on the long coarse his run was 185.9 at mile three on a 158 record. Next morning on the back up run the engine gave up at the 2 1/2 mile mark and coasted across the three mile timer at 171 MPH he bumped the fuel record 20 MPH higher. Now father and son both have land speed records with a car and flathead engines we built together.
Everyone in the SCTA we met were great and with two other cars running in the class the competition was interesting. It was a four day drive there and four more back the trip was worth it and the memorys are priceless.

Elmo Rodge · 08-22-2016, 07:55 PM

Ronnie, good job. Sorry I missed you. Maybe next time. Wayno

VeryTangled · 08-22-2016, 08:14 PM

Vroom. VROOM VROOMMMMM..

Mike in AZ · 08-22-2016, 08:25 PM

holy smokes.....couldn't you just bump the record a little??....lol.....congrats on the records....whewwww.....Mike

Ol' Ron · 08-23-2016, 07:31 AM

I guess you get a coupla "atta boys" for that. Nice work, congrats'
Ol' Ron

TomT/Williamsburg · 08-23-2016, 02:25 PM

20 mph bump? Not too shabby! Great work!

08-12-2016, 11:04 PM	#21
Init1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 208	Re: Bonneville salt flats Leaving tomorrow for Mecca. Salt conditions are great with 3 courses operable and the weather forecast is dry and in the mid 90's. It's gonna be good!

08-13-2016, 11:49 PM	#22
Straightpipes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ballston Spa, NY Posts: 789	Re: Bonneville salt flats Great racing today, lots of flathead action. Welkers belly tank went 158mph. Faster tomorow after tweaking. Keiths coupe went 175.

08-16-2016, 09:06 AM	#23
mustang8 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 200	Re: Bonneville salt flats Any new reports?

08-16-2016, 10:29 AM	#24
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: Bonneville salt flats Was there in '12 for Speedweek, and just stopped in June '13 for a picture op. Wanted to drive out '14 or '15 in my 35 fordor but I think salt was in poor condition. Was thinking about this year but didn't think the salt was good, so did other shows instead. Will give some thought now for a possible run out there in '17. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

08-19-2016, 05:32 PM	#25
saltracer Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Lafayette, La. Posts: 100	Re: Bonneville salt flats Lots of flathead powered cars this year. We ran 147 ish on a 149.7 record then eventually broke something in the motor. Others had much more success, Ronnie Roadster bump up the record in his class by something over FIFTY miles per hour and I believe the "Blonde Bitch" ran well also. Jerry Wortman set records possibly with two different cars.

08-19-2016, 06:54 PM	#26
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Re: Bonneville salt flats Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Anyone know how it's going out there ?

08-19-2016, 09:05 PM	#27
RalphM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 2,651	Re: Bonneville salt flats Id love to see a video of it.

08-19-2016, 09:44 PM	#28
Straightpipes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ballston Spa, NY Posts: 789	Re: Bonneville salt flats On our way home. Had a great week. We ran a y block 170mph and blew a hole in a piston. Flathead roadser ran 128mph fighting gremlins all the way. Lots of flathead action and some amazing engineering. The blonde bitch ran 165mph. Saw a team change a 59a head while waiting in line to run. Flathead heaven.....XFs are fun!

08-20-2016, 08:46 AM	#29
TomT/Williamsburg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Williamsburg, Virginia Posts: 2,654	Re: Bonneville salt flats Thanks for all the updates, Pipes - looking forward to next year ...... __________________ Run to the LA Roadster Show - 2016 My Run to Bonneville - 2013 My 32 5-Window Build My Run to the LSRU

08-20-2016, 10:00 AM	#30
Elmo Rodge Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Salina, Utah Posts: 325	Re: Bonneville salt flats I spent part of last weekend there. I started a new job a few months ago so getting off for a week and a half wasn't in the cards. I helped out a bit with the White Goose Bar cars whom comported themselves well. I had a great visit with Andy Welker while in line. Good job Andy. Had to leave about noon on Sunday but I got a taste. Next for me is El Mirage in September. Wayno __________________ Life is not a spectator sport.

08-20-2016, 10:42 AM	#31
awelker Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Berrysburg, PA Posts: 49	Re: Bonneville salt flats All things considered we had a really good week. After making a bunch of runs right around 165 I was starting to feel like I was just beating and old horse that refused to go any faster up the hill. The. Finally on Thursday we did $10 worth of duct tape aero on the rear axle and went 168.89 into a 6 mph headwind. Gave it one more try on the long course but it was so rough it was real slow. So after a week of 6000+ shifts we decided to go home with engine internals intact. Glad I got to talk to you Wayno and always good to chat with Butch. Only 4 more days driving to get home. Then start figuring out how to go faster. __________________ www.vonwelker.com https://www.flickr.com/photos/vonwelker/albums Home of the Blonde Bitch Bellytank

08-21-2016, 08:51 AM	#32
VeryTangled Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: (Not far enough...) Outside of DC Posts: 3,387	Re: Bonneville salt flats Hi Everyone, I just found Andy's website, and they blogged the trip. I'm reading it now. Here's a page that starts when they arrive at the salt flats. https://vonwelker.com/2016/08/11/made-it-to-the-salt/ Okay I'm back from reading. Excellent reporting from the scene including pictures, videos, and a quote of the day like "Stop licking your feet" for one. It seems to be written by one of the wife's on the trip. Just great writing and reporting. I didn't know you guys were so close to the DC Metro area, I'll have to reach out. I'd sure like to make the trip next year if the salt is open again! If anyone is looking for a Blonde Bitch T-Shirt, they're available here... https://vonwelker.com/blonde-bitch-t-shirts/ __________________ -Jeff H Have you thought about supporting the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum? Last edited by VeryTangled; 08-21-2016 at 09:52 AM. Reason: adding T-Shirt link

08-21-2016, 03:42 PM	#33
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,215	Re: Bonneville salt flats Wayno , new job, whats this, do northrop need a new test pilot. lawrie

08-22-2016, 07:05 AM	#34
Elmo Rodge Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Salina, Utah Posts: 325	Re: Bonneville salt flats Lawrie, you're closer than you think. Wayno __________________ Life is not a spectator sport.

08-22-2016, 07:47 PM	#35
Ronnieroadster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast in CT Posts: 1,529	Re: Bonneville salt flats First time for us running our rear engine modified roadster on the salt. Sunday afternoon the 8-BA Ford flathead that I machined and built with my son which is supercharged on gas qualified on the 139 record with a short coarse speed of 191.9 MPH that run was made at an altitude of 6733 feet and a temp of 92 degrees. Monday mornings backup run I ran 192.9 MPH the new record I set is now 192.448 MPH. Next we put my son in the car after his rookie we changed class to fuel. On my runs the car ran well over the required 175 MPH on the short coarse at the 2 1/4 mile clock so we now have a long coarse qualified car. With my son driving now on the long coarse his run was 185.9 at mile three on a 158 record. Next morning on the back up run the engine gave up at the 2 1/2 mile mark and coasted across the three mile timer at 171 MPH he bumped the fuel record 20 MPH higher. Now father and son both have land speed records with a car and flathead engines we built together. Everyone in the SCTA we met were great and with two other cars running in the class the competition was interesting. It was a four day drive there and four more back the trip was worth it and the memorys are priceless.

08-22-2016, 07:55 PM	#36
Elmo Rodge Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Salina, Utah Posts: 325	Re: Bonneville salt flats Ronnie, good job. Sorry I missed you. Maybe next time. Wayno __________________ Life is not a spectator sport.

08-22-2016, 08:25 PM	#38
Mike in AZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waddell, AZ Posts: 2,540	Re: Bonneville salt flats holy smokes.....couldn't you just bump the record a little??....lol.....congrats on the records....whewwww.....Mike

08-23-2016, 07:31 AM	#39
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: Bonneville salt flats I guess you get a coupla "atta boys" for that. Nice work, congrats' Ol' Ron

08-23-2016, 02:25 PM	#40
TomT/Williamsburg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Williamsburg, Virginia Posts: 2,654	Re: Bonneville salt flats 20 mph bump? Not too shabby! Great work! __________________ Run to the LA Roadster Show - 2016 My Run to Bonneville - 2013 My 32 5-Window Build My Run to the LSRU