Shawn Driver didnB次元官网网址檛 even plan to be in the U.S. when the World Finals took place at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah this fall.
Despite what the name suggests, the World Finals B次元官网网址� which takes place over four days B次元官网网址� is a smaller event than Bonneville Speed Week B次元官网网址� about 600 drivers attend Speed Week in August, while 100 go to the World Finals in September.
But an unfortunate transmission failure during Speed Week meant Driver and his team missed out on the record they were trying to set in the Altered Coupe class. He left the car, a 1953 Studebaker, with its 1955 Hemi Studebaker tow vehicle and hauler in storage, in Utah.
With DriverB次元官网网址檚 car failing, another team broke his record, and Driver wanted it back. Luckily because the World Finals are in September, conditions are cooler, and the salt is harder.
Driver and his partner Donna (Miss Daisy) Gray travelled back up to their welding and car parts shop in Sooke, with plans to return for the World Finals a month later, the first time they would ever attend the event.
But first, Driver had to get the car working again, which involved welding the main transmission shaft back together. There wasnB次元官网网址檛 much time for repairs. ItB次元官网网址檚 also hard to test the car. Speed Week is the only place Driver can see how the car is performing.
B次元官网网址淯nless they let me use the airport, thereB次元官网网址檚 nowhere to drive this thing,B次元官网网址� he said.
Gray says thatB次元官网网址檚 one of the scary things about the whole experience.
B次元官网网址淭his is a dangerous sport. WeB次元官网网址檝e seen friends crash. WeB次元官网网址檝e seen friends lose their lives,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he officials do everything they can. The rest is up to us.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淓very time, my heart goes into my throat as he drives down.B次元官网网址�
Driver managed to get the car fixed. But anyone attempting a record needs to do two runs, and the average is where the record is set.
On the first day, Driver hit 291 mph (468 km/h). The current record, broken six weeks prior at Speed Week, was 256. But Driver needed a good second run. Waking up at the crack of dawn, Driver completed his second run and set a new world record B次元官网网址� 286 miles per hour.
As the car was towed back to the pit area, the other drivers lined the road and cheered.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 something IB次元官网网址檒l remember for the rest of my life. I get goosebumps just telling the story,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he flats isnB次元官网网址檛 like other racing. YouB次元官网网址檙e not competing against each other. YouB次元官网网址檙e competing against an existing record.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 like a family,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淵ou canB次元官网网址檛 explain the camaraderie. You have to experience it in the flats for yourself. Once youB次元官网网址檝e been, youB次元官网网址檙e a sodium junkie. The salt is in your blood.B次元官网网址�
While Driver is driving at breakneck speeds, it takes a village to get the car there. Sponsors include local companies like Sooke Brewing Company, Lordco Auto Parts in Langford, Canamera Refrigerated Transport in Saanichton, and individuals like Rod Zaran and Curtis Halvorson to companies like TBM and DIYMS3Pro in California and Georgia.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no money in it for them,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪omeone from California sees a Sooke Brewing Company sticker on the car; theyB次元官网网址檙e not going to know what that is. They do it because they love it.B次元官网网址�
As for the team, there are brothers Les and Lorne Holm out of Tacoma, Richard Gido and Matt Blasco, B次元官网网址渢he engine whispererB次元官网网址� out of Alberta, and Vancouver Islanders Richard Norton, Richard Eldridge, Scott Macdonald and Carl Scott, owner of Sooke Brewing Company. Scott even got behind the wheel himself this year, earning his rookie license, allowing him to drive up to 149 miles per hour.
Driver has his red hat B次元官网网址� making him one of around 760 members of the 200 Miles Per Hour Club B次元官网网址� and is 10 mph away from earning a blue hat, which drivers earn when they break a record at speeds over 300 mph.
B次元官网网址淏ut I told Miss Daisy, I donB次元官网网址檛 look good in blue,B次元官网网址� he laughed. B次元官网网址淪o I want that black hat. Five years from now, IB次元官网网址檇 like to be in the 400 Miles Per Hour Club.B次元官网网址�
READ MORE:
bailey.moreton@goldstreamgazette.com
Like us on and follow us on Twitter.
