We've definitely reached a milestone. Because we're now El Mirage experienced. Here's a short version of what we've learned.
But before we go there, we would like to THANK everybody that supported us in, for us, an amazing way.
Kim and Mike, and their crew at Magnuson Supercharges for letting us use the Magnuson workshop, the amazing Supercharged Truck and allow us to take their time and talk Supercharges and Engine Boosting at the same time!
Erik Hansson for hospitality and all advices, as well as lending us his 5 layer race suit (there was no time to tailor make one).
Ron Main at SCTA for his super strong engagement which included everything from advices from a long experience, to membership in Sidewinders, to pre inspection at Magnuson and as well to get hold of right quality hose clamps (in the middle of a dessert!)
Hakan Karlén for supporting us with good mode, tools and electric energy at El Mirage...
Kiwi Steve for introducing us to Landspeed racing Safety and magically, from nowhere, finding a perfect hans device.
And many more!
Without these guys we've would, without a doubt, have been stranded. No question.
Again, THANKS!!!
Now to our story from last weekend at El Mrage....
We unloaded the Amazon for the first time in the hot dessert. Felt great.
First step was the SCTA (Southern California Timing Association) first time safety inspection. Thorough is the correct word. Yes, we were nervous.
Directly after we've received our SCTA protocol (and a TODO list) and got our race car registered we had get going to the Rookie orientation meeting.
In the El Mirage sundown, we learned all do's and don't in Landspeed racing. In addition, we learned how to not be that guy...I think we got it.
Before the dessert got too dark to work, we all started to tick off the points on the To Do list that stopped us from our Rookie Run the day after. Here's Magnus while pushing the angle grinder to the limit.
And yes, we even managed to get the car approved the same night, thanks to a very supportive crew of SCTA inspectors. We even had the possibility to perform a safety bail out the same evening.
At this point there was no time to go back the house we've rented, so we went to a hotel nearby and slept a couple of hours.
A couple of hours later, at 06.30am Sunday morning, the team were back at El Mirage. Yes, it was cold before the sun rise.
The sun rise in the dessert is fantastic. At this point all kinds vehicles arrived, one by one.
After a night in the dessert and conditionally approved, the Amazon was ready for the first run. Our Rookie run.
After approximatly 07.15 the race was initiated
The National Anthem was sung with great passion.
Anders had the privilege (and the stress) to be the first Rookie driver from Salt Slush. The task: Don't drive faster than 150mph! Rookie Run 1 is not to exceed 150mph, Rookie Run 2 is not to exceed 175mph.
Anders is not freezing at this point in time. Fully strapped, with 5 layer suit, helmet, oven style gloves and balaclava in a car when it's +100degF (37degC) outside the car makes every minute of waiting feel like an hour.
Annika understood that shadow is a good thing and provided some...
138mph (220km/h) and Anders is not a Rookie anymore!
Anders is sharing his first experience....he said something like; " it's NOT easy and the car is too strong"
Then it was time for me to get warm and yes, Anders was absolutely correct. It's NOT easy! With wildly spinning wheels on forth gear, I passed the timing tower in 121,53mph (194km/). I had no clue how fast I was going as I was sailing on the dessert with the engine howling wildly.
Summary:
We almost reached as far as we wanted. We got the car to US, it passed SCTA safety inspection with a To Do list.
Two of us are not Rookies anymore and nothing broke down (!)
But we have a long journey in front of us before we all fit the car and the car (and ourselves) are ready to reach for the record.
