| Team Vesco's Speed Week 2010 Report |
| # 444 Thunders through the clocks at 330 mph! |
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| Beautiful run! Photo by Rikki Scott |
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| Dave Spangler and #444 "Little Giant" |
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The Team Vesco streamliner, powered by a 406 c.i. small block Chevy on gas, was able to make numerous runs during Speed Week which allowed us to test new systems and progress toward our goal of 350 mph. Take a ride with driver Dave Spangler!
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Team Vesco's #444 "Little Giant" arrived at Speed Week completely "freshened up" with Snow Performance engine tuning, Edelbrock Quick Data 2 acquisition system, Davis Technologies Traction Control, MSD Digital 7 Control box and a spanking new paint job by Doug Vereen of D & D Autoworks & Collision. #444 looked stunning on the salt in her vibrant yellow and pearl white. And, as always, Team Vesco's crew was prepared, informed and energetic - for which we are forever grateful.
Driver Dave Spangler, was able to make several runs down the track "shaking down" all the new systems. His best run clocked in at 330 mph, just short of the B-gas class record. Dave was only in 4th gear during this run so the promise of greater speed is practically a certainity. An out of balance tire caused a slight vibration which hampered Dave's driving. Team Vesco has analyzed the data, balanced the tires and will participate in the World of Speed, September 15 - 18, to accomplish our goal of 350 mph. We want to thank Shannon Davis of Davis Technologies for personally teaching and encouraging us in the use of his traction control system on the salt. We hope you enjoyed your time on the salt Shannon! Also, we thank Mark from Edlebrock for his special assistance over the phone with crew member Rick Kunze.
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| Memorial Vesco "V" |
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Team Vesco's #444 has been revamped from top to bottom. Doug Vereen of D& D Autoworks & Collision, St. George, Ut., gave her a dazzling new paint job. We thank House of Kolor for their excellent products. Brian Van Houten, also of St. George, added finishing touches with lettering and graphics, making "Little Giant" once again race ready.
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| The Team Vesco pit proudly displayed a new team banner. |
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| The Team Vesco crew begin preparations. |
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| Jinx Vesco displays the Team Vesco archives including programs from every year of Speed Week. |
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| Calvin Vesco and Genelle Sadlier on starting line with #444 |
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| Driver Dave, "Super Dave," Spangler mentally prepares for the run. |
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| Karen Spangler brings Dave's driving jacket. |
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| Team member, Cliff Scott helps Dave with driving shoes. |
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| Cliff's duties also included keeping Dave cool in his "cool shirt." |
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| Cooling agent is piped through the tubes into the shirt. |
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| Ricco holds umbrella for Dave. |
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| Karen holds umbrella for Dave. |
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| Jinx holds umbrella for Dave. |
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| Rick fastens Daves collar and helmet. |
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| Karen brings small fan for additional cooling. |
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| Team member Eric Ritter closes the hatch. |
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| Eric makes a dash for the push truck. |
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| Official gives #444 the "Go!" |
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| "Little Giant" is underway! |
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| #444 on course! |
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| Rick, "Ricco," Kunze sets up computer for downloading the data from Edelbrock's Quick Data 2 system. |
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| Man! Did we have data! |
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| Driver Dave Spangler looks at the data. |
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| Rick Vesco and crew member Eric Ritter study the data. |
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| Crew member Lance Morris also analyzes the data. |
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| Rick Kunze and Dave think about the run. |
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| Eric works while others think. |
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| Rick and Rick think about the data. |
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| Cliff joins in the thinking process. |
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| Resoureful Eric uses this unconventional tool to "Git 'er done!" |
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| Rick and Lance occasionally butt heads! |
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| Plumbing the new fuel pump. |
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| Lance talking. |
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| Lance talking again. |
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| Still talking... |
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| Thank you Chip for the fabulous meals! |
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| Thank you Steve & Jason! |
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| Sharon Lee and Rick dig in! |
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| June, Genelle, Rikki, Cliff and Calvin prepare to dine! |
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| Genelle, Calvin Rhonnie and Holly enjoy a game of Yahtzee on the salt. |
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| Thank you Bob Evans for being a friend of Team Vesco for more than 4 decades! |
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| What a nice surprise to meet you Bob Buckle! |
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| Shannon Davis, left, Davis Technologies, assists us with the new Davis traction control system. |
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| Friends from "the pit next door," Joe, Lance, Walter & Bruce. Nice shirt Lance! |
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| Thank you to our friends from Australia! |
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| So nice to meet you and your family young Lance. Reach for the stars! |
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| 2010 Team Vesco Speed Week Crew: John Lee, Bill Lee, Rick Vesco, Eric Ritter, Cliff Scott, Rick "Ricco" Kunze, "Super" Dave Spangler, Lance Morris |
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Jinx & Rick Vesco would like to once again thank our magnificent & dedicated crew for their extrordinary efforts dedicated to Team Vesco # 444. You have gathered from coast to coast, given of your time, vacation and talent to help us succeed. You are not just team members, you are among our closest friends. We are confident that our driver, "Super Dave" Spangler, could not have had a more well prepared crew anywhere. We shall return to the flats to accomplish our goal next month at World of Speed, September 15 - 18. See you there!
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| The Vescos also thank our team members who were not on the salt but have contributed throughout the year to our effort. |
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| Thanks Ricco for your enthusiasm! |
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| Thanks Cliff for your upbeat attitude and mighty fine embalming skills! |
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| "Photo Fox" Rikki, Thank you for your Team spirit & professional pics! |
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| Nice equipment Rikki! |
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| Thank you John Lee for your encouragement and labor! |
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| Lance, thank you for your engineering intellect and humor. |
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| Bill, thank you for coming along with your buds and adding a calm wisdom to the team! |
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| Thank you Sharon for your willingness to do whatever is necessary! |
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| Thank you June for your quiet support and for being the team sweetheart! |
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| Thank you Karen for your easy going spirit and humor! |
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| We thank Dave for providing all the fun and somehow convincing us all that he is worth it? |
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| Last, but not least, we thank Energizer Eric Ritter for your dedication & professionalism. |
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| We are grateful for your agility! |
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| June Ritter, Sharon Lee, Karen Spangler, Jinx Vesco, Rikki Scott |
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Once again, Team Vesco wishes to offers a heart felt "thank you" to the Pit Chix. Not only do you work exceedingly hard, but you make it much more fun! We love you!
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| Thanks Glen, "The Voice of Speed Week," for your contributions to our effort. |
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| All of us @ Team Vesco wish to tank the SCTA-BNI officials and volunteers for your countless hours and extrodinary hard work. We enjoyed a safe and efficiently run meet and know that without you there would be no Speed Week! We especially want to appreciate Glen Barrett and Ron Christensen for their tireless and accurate announcing, keeping teams well informed in every instance. Ed and Cris, it's always good to see you at the end of the course. Welcome back!
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| So long for now. Stay tuned! |
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