Rick on TV! (although sadly not RS powered)
- Thread starter DSCBoy
- Start date
Great Tv, tks for the updates Rick.
One thing though, how serious is this record breaking?
If a record is actually broken, I imagine the sponsor gets coverage as pay back..is there any financial incentive?
The reason I ask is that most of the riders/ drivers, are not exactly built like jockeys, so it comes across as fun with a "what if" attitude to the goal?
I appreciate that beyond 150mph the aerodynamics play the major part, but I would assume power to weight and having someone small enough to build an aero cockpit around would pay dividends?
Shame as you point out, the BBC do seem to have ever so slightly stereotyped you, if they had a clue, they might realise anyone trying to generate alpha in the front end of the curve in this rate environment is a seriously determined individual!
Looking forward to the next episode!
Cheers..
One thing though, how serious is this record breaking?
If a record is actually broken, I imagine the sponsor gets coverage as pay back..is there any financial incentive?
The reason I ask is that most of the riders/ drivers, are not exactly built like jockeys, so it comes across as fun with a "what if" attitude to the goal?
I appreciate that beyond 150mph the aerodynamics play the major part, but I would assume power to weight and having someone small enough to build an aero cockpit around would pay dividends?
Shame as you point out, the BBC do seem to have ever so slightly stereotyped you, if they had a clue, they might realise anyone trying to generate alpha in the front end of the curve in this rate environment is a seriously determined individual!
Looking forward to the next episode!
Cheers..
Thanks for posting the photos Rick, it's incredibly well engineered - hats off to the team, and at risk of stating the obvious it has to be ...obviously!
But those smooth, aluminium front wheels? I at least thought they'd have a ridge or something all the way round to provide a bit of lateral grip on the salt. In my eyes your cajones are getting bigger by the day. [&:]
He'd have his cojones to worry about if either of those chains snapped[
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vitesse
Active member
As someone who worked for Renold Chains for 15 yrs involved in technical sales etc including such drives ,camshaft drives etc,the pic wetted my appetite.
Have I missed more of the technical details somewhere-ie the engine & drive layout?
Must say the chain looks to be an extra strong type with those thick sideplates but would enjoy seeing more technical stuff not that that detracts from Rick's endeavours -he's either got reinforced underpants or the chainguard is missing![]
Have I missed more of the technical details somewhere-ie the engine & drive layout?
Must say the chain looks to be an extra strong type with those thick sideplates but would enjoy seeing more technical stuff not that that detracts from Rick's endeavours -he's either got reinforced underpants or the chainguard is missing![
]
DSCBoy
New member
Boys... those chains are a long way behind me!!! Chain guard is off in that photo... but still get's pretty exciting it's true, when they snap... it can be interesting... see if the BBC show it on Sunday.
Looked at grooving the wheels, but the grooves just give the Salt somewhere to grip and you get more pick up, more vibration and less grip if I recall correctly.
The car runs a Kawasaki ZX-11 motor, sleeved down to 1litre for the class, Garrett turbo and the drive is chain, via that intermediate shaft you see in the photo.
There are about 500 bikes and cars show up at Speedweek. And I'd guess probably 60% are there for the crack. The rest are hoping for a record... but probably only about 20% of the total are likely to endanger one. There is a huge difference between guys who are taking it seriously (like us) and those who aren't doing it to the same level and this is reflected in the result.
Some years the Salt is good and records fall... some years it isn't and cars get broken. You'll see on Sunday night which 2012 was... hopefully they tell our story properly.
You are right, a lot of the drivers are not jockeys... because it takes boys all their lives to realise the dream of getting there, a lot of middle age spread has set in! I could be a bit fatter and still fit in the Flower, but I couldn't be an inch taller... (you are also right, generating alpha with rates this low is almost as much of a mans job as stopping the Flower at the end of a run)
The Salt was very hard, but had lots of holes in it this year... so visibility was terrible, vibrations above 180mph meant I couldn't really see anything but colours... and every single car running solid disc wheels snapped their front suspension... wheels coming off all over the place.
The Flower is a horrible thing to be in:I was smoked, singed, thumped, bruised, shaken and a little stirred last year... but she's a fabulous little car and WHAT A RUSH!
Rick
Looked at grooving the wheels, but the grooves just give the Salt somewhere to grip and you get more pick up, more vibration and less grip if I recall correctly.
The car runs a Kawasaki ZX-11 motor, sleeved down to 1litre for the class, Garrett turbo and the drive is chain, via that intermediate shaft you see in the photo.
There are about 500 bikes and cars show up at Speedweek. And I'd guess probably 60% are there for the crack. The rest are hoping for a record... but probably only about 20% of the total are likely to endanger one. There is a huge difference between guys who are taking it seriously (like us) and those who aren't doing it to the same level and this is reflected in the result.
Some years the Salt is good and records fall... some years it isn't and cars get broken. You'll see on Sunday night which 2012 was... hopefully they tell our story properly.
You are right, a lot of the drivers are not jockeys... because it takes boys all their lives to realise the dream of getting there, a lot of middle age spread has set in! I could be a bit fatter and still fit in the Flower, but I couldn't be an inch taller... (you are also right, generating alpha with rates this low is almost as much of a mans job as stopping the Flower at the end of a run)
The Salt was very hard, but had lots of holes in it this year... so visibility was terrible, vibrations above 180mph meant I couldn't really see anything but colours... and every single car running solid disc wheels snapped their front suspension... wheels coming off all over the place.
The Flower is a horrible thing to be in:I was smoked, singed, thumped, bruised, shaken and a little stirred last year... but she's a fabulous little car and WHAT A RUSH!
Rick
DSCBoy
New member
Don't miss episode 2.... tonight 10pm.
Kinda of the opinion that I won't watch though... will wait for someone to tell me if I'm put across badly I think rather than stay up late then get no sleep fuming about "the edit" like last week ;-)
Fingers crossed its a good'un. Need some redemption!
Rick
Kinda of the opinion that I won't watch though... will wait for someone to tell me if I'm put across badly I think rather than stay up late then get no sleep fuming about "the edit" like last week ;-)
Fingers crossed its a good'un. Need some redemption!
Rick
Agreed - really great programme, thought you and the team came across really well. Gutted you didnt make it, but there is always next time.
Truly inspirational. Makes me want to get a copy of the book and start hatching plans. But actually I'm sure the film hides a whole lot of effort, time, planning and money that went into this project.
Truly inspirational. Makes me want to get a copy of the book and start hatching plans. But actually I'm sure the film hides a whole lot of effort, time, planning and money that went into this project.
DSCBoy
New member
H, under no circumstance go to www.scta-bni.org and order a rule book... that way bankruptcy lies!!!
Thanks guys, yes, I thought it was excellent. Well put together... well filmed and they told a reasonable percentage of the story.
And the sponsors got lots of coverage so perhaps we'll be able to raise the cash to go back this year!!
I'd be astonished if we weren't there.... Salt Fever is a terrible thing.
Thanks for all the kind words
Rick
Thanks guys, yes, I thought it was excellent. Well put together... well filmed and they told a reasonable percentage of the story.
And the sponsors got lots of coverage so perhaps we'll be able to raise the cash to go back this year!!
I'd be astonished if we weren't there.... Salt Fever is a terrible thing.
Thanks for all the kind words
Rick
Enjoyed part 2 immensely. Really caught the high's and Lo's well. I loved the Marshall " sir your car is on fire "[] I particularly like the fact that everyone came across as true enthusiasts . A great programme.
] I particularly like the fact that everyone came across as true enthusiasts . A great programme.
Absolutely great tv.
Rick, I thought you came across really well, the professional driver who did his job working with the team of mechanics always ready to give it another run.
Here is the thing that puzzles me?
What is the basis for thinking "The Flower" can truly beat the record?
The reason being, luck, helpful weather and atmospheric conditions clearly play a huge part in a run.
You seemed to be 70-100mph short of the target and with the aero factors, I would assume the last 100mph is harder to reach than the first 100.
Sorry if I am being too analytical, but it seems a bit like saying, now the FTSE is through 6000 it can easily go to 6500!......Well.....yes....it could.......perhaps...hmmm ???
I know it is ridiculously expensive, but has there been any wind tunnel testing, or is it proven mathematically that it is possible to reach the target?
Some of the other teams were there for fun and were clearly out of their depth, when it came to an attempt at a record.
I am interested to find out what belief got you to the salt, as your team seemed the most professional by far.
I do hope you can get your name in the record books in the near future, that would be a fantastic achievement.
Rick, I thought you came across really well, the professional driver who did his job working with the team of mechanics always ready to give it another run.
Here is the thing that puzzles me?
What is the basis for thinking "The Flower" can truly beat the record?
The reason being, luck, helpful weather and atmospheric conditions clearly play a huge part in a run.
You seemed to be 70-100mph short of the target and with the aero factors, I would assume the last 100mph is harder to reach than the first 100.
Sorry if I am being too analytical, but it seems a bit like saying, now the FTSE is through 6000 it can easily go to 6500!......Well.....yes....it could.......perhaps...hmmm ???
I know it is ridiculously expensive, but has there been any wind tunnel testing, or is it proven mathematically that it is possible to reach the target?
Some of the other teams were there for fun and were clearly out of their depth, when it came to an attempt at a record.
I am interested to find out what belief got you to the salt, as your team seemed the most professional by far.
I do hope you can get your name in the record books in the near future, that would be a fantastic achievement.
bernard tester
PCGB Member
Very much enjoyed but it just shows how rough the salt is and the pounding everything takes on doubt the surface changes from day to day and year to year. well done to Rick and all the team. Berny.
DSCBoy
New member
The Flower has run 270mph at less than half boost. Turned up to 11 with the handling right and the right reliability she'll do 325 we reckon... sadly after we melted the boost controller this year, she was only giving us the minimum we think. I have no doubt she'll get there, we're gradually winning the little battles that mean we can win the war. BUT some guys have been out there chasing the same record for 22yrs...
But we're only really 40mph away and we had power and gears left at that point... I'm very confident we can do the speed... less confident that we can do it twice in a row and even LESS confident I can get her stopped from those speeds...
And yes, chain is water-cooled... after the fire, the nozzle melted over and blocked... the computer only sprays water above certain speeds so we didn't spot anything wrong until I had the chain failure on track. Without the water, it heats up so much that it welds itself solid!!!!
Thanks for all the kind words!! (And H... the first $10 is like the introductory deal from your local friendly drug dealer...)
Cheers
Rick
But we're only really 40mph away and we had power and gears left at that point... I'm very confident we can do the speed... less confident that we can do it twice in a row and even LESS confident I can get her stopped from those speeds...
And yes, chain is water-cooled... after the fire, the nozzle melted over and blocked... the computer only sprays water above certain speeds so we didn't spot anything wrong until I had the chain failure on track. Without the water, it heats up so much that it welds itself solid!!!!
Thanks for all the kind words!! (And H... the first $10 is like the introductory deal from your local friendly drug dealer...)
Cheers
Rick
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