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Roadster's First Time on the Salt    2006

In 2001, I went to Bonneville for the very first time. I went out as a part of the Chassis Engineering team and had been involved with the team since it was started by Roy Lewis (current World Record holder C/DS). Roy had asked if I was interested in helping him build the Streamliner back in 1998... The rest is pretty much history. We struggled with the Streamliner the first year, but the second year we broke the old record and the Chassis Team became the New World Recorded holder. Since that time, we’ve continued to go faster and we were actually the first diesel to ever run over 300MPH, regardless of class and engine size. About two years into the Streamliner program I realized I would like to build a Roadster, and take a shot at challenging that class record. We built the Roadster and are continuing to improve its performance. Our goal was to build a Bonneville Salt Flats Roadster that was safe, yet build it to run a Cummins Diesel Engine, like the Streamliner was running, only a smaller version. We knew we had a large challenge ahead of us. The rules clearly state that we must run in the gasoline class since there is no other class designated for diesels. In 2006, we made our first trip out with the Roadster and were able to get the car thru Tech Inspection. We made a few passes, none of which were very fast, had some new car issues and a broke a turbo on the second stage. In 2007, we went back and made a number of passes but never came close to our speed goal due to transmission issues. In 2008, we had the Roadster on the Dyno three days before we were suppose to leave for Bonneville and broke an intake valve that went through the engine and turbo. 2009 promises to be our best year yet. We are completely going through the engine (lots of updates) and have scheduled a lot of time on the Dyno to make sure we have everything working the way it is supposed to.

The crew is getting Steve belted in and ready to make his first run on the salt. They are sitting in the line waiting their turn to make a run down the three mile coarse. (August 2006)

Cummins 239 CID, 3.9 liters Cummins diesel engine with many modifications. Twin Holset Turbo’s by Bell Turbo, Progressive Water injection and more.
A 47RE Overdrive transmission behind it. And in the back, 2.47 gears in a modified 9” Ford rear axle housing.