Updated September 2020
Since becoming the first wheel driven car to exceed 500 M.P.H. in October 2018, Team Vesco with Advanced Turbine Services (ATS) have been busy developing a control unit for our T-55-L-714 turbine engine. In early September, Team Vesco and ATS (Ken Braccio) were at Nebraska Gas Turbine for dyno testing with the control unit that we have been trying to adapt to run the engine since late 2019. After several days of testing it was concluded that a new approach was called for. After more than a year, Advanced Turbine Services will take a completely new direction to develop a state-of-the-art proprietary Engine Control Module (ECM) that will control the critical operating parameters of our turbine engine.
Scott Clark, a "control engineer," joined our team several weeks ago. Scott and Ken are confident that a new state of the art ECM can be developed before the end of 2020. The Turbinator is completely done and ready for the engine and supporting systems installation in early 2021.
All systems will be GO for 2021. Team Vesco expects to establish a National Record with an average speed for two separate one mile segments over 500 M.P.H.
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| The newly modified 2018 T-55 turbo shaft race engine will provide more power in 2019 with less Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT). |
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Team Vesco's TURBINATOR II inducted into Dry Lakes Racing Hall of Fame at the 2019 "Gas Up" event sponsored by the Gold Coast Roadster and Racing Club at the Mendenhall Museum in Buellton, California. Rick Vesco and driver Dave Spangler were among the honorees. TURBINATOR II was in the "Currently Running" vehicle class at the 23rd annual event.
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| Team Vesco Crew |
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Rick Vesco and Driver Dave Spangler received honors at the 80th Annual SCTA Awards Banquet in Pomona, California. SCTA-BNI sanctioned events, 2018 Speed Week and World Finals, were the venues for Team Vesco's TURBINATOR II to set the Fastest National Bonneville Car Record in history 482.646 mph, Fastest Wheel Driven Flying Mile 493.037 mph and Fastest Top Speed 503.332 mph.
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| New - 1st to 500 mph Posters |
There's only one FIRST! This magnificent photo was taken on the Bonneville Salt Flats after our historic 503 mph run. The car was in the impound area waiting to make the backup run required to establish an official record, when the rains came covering the entire flats. The resulting downpour provided a beautirul backdrop for this photo of Turbinator II reflecting in the water. Unfortunately, the storm caused the meet to be canceled.
Stay tuned for 2019!
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| Driver Dave Spangler and car owner/builder Rick Vesco |
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TURBINATOR II SPECS
T55-GA-714A Shaft Gas Turbine
5000 HP
PTO 16000 rpm
Reduction gear box 2:1
Diff. gear ratio 1.174
Wheel base 21'
Tread width fr. 17" r. 12"
Body width 36"
Overall length 36 ft.
Weight 4950 lb.
Tires Mickey Thompson 24.5 x 7.50-16 Spl. Bonneville
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KSL Salt Lake City sports news reporter Alex Cabrero visited with Team Vesco on the salt flats to find out about Dave Spangler and TURBINATOR'S historic 503 mph run.
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| Alex Cabrero interviews Rick Vesco |
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