Drivers Dave Spangler and Eric Ritter each took a turn at the wheel during the 64th Annual Speed Week event. Dave was up first powering the 434 c.i. small block Chevy by Al Sanderson. Difficulties during the run resulted in a broken connecting rod causing a failure of the quick change shaft and spur gears. Results - a hole in the pan. Oops!
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Eric Ritter was next up driving the #444 with the newly installed Al Sanderson 304 c.i. small block Chevy on oxygenated gasoline. Eric's #4441 entry was going after a fuel record of 323 mph. Eric achieved an exit speed of 328 mph but fell short of qualifying by 2 tenths of a mile in the fifth mile.
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| Rick Vesco and crew discuss bent drive shaft issues. |
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| Eric and crew member Cliff Scott |
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| Eric's support team: Chip, Jake, Jill & Ricco |
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Team Vesco salutes S.C.T.A. and The Bonneville Nationals for another safely run meet. We thank the volunteers who spend countless hours of their own vacation time to make this event possible. Our hats are off to the course stewards, timers, and announcers. A special thanks to Team Vesco member, Glen Barrett, "The Voice of Bonneville," for tirelessly reporting the speeds while keeping watch over the track. Keep up the good work!
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| Team Vesco arrives a day early. |
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| Salt conditions were good, though somewhat rough. |
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New friend, Michael, and old friend, Lee, arrive to assist Team Vesco. Thanks guys!
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Team Vesco's pit includes an informational table & photo display promoting a history of Speed Week. Johnny Vesco attended the first Speed Week in 1949 and Team Vesco has been a participant ever since. The Vesco table holds volumes with most of the past Speed Week programs, entry forms, speed record certificates and pictures of Vesco racing history. Spectators from all over the world stopped in to visit and say "hi." Team Vesco is dedicated to teaching and passing on the legacy of Land Speed Racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
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Eric Ritter and Jake Woodard prepare the Al Sanderson 304 c.i. small block Chevy for installation.
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Thanks to our crew the 304 is installed in record setting time.
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Eric made six runs over 300 mph. Unfortunately, due to drive shaft issues he was unable to reach the qualifying time of 323.364 mph, even though he did reach an exit speed of 328 mph.
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| Co-driver Dave & Eric check results of run while Al and June look on. |
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| Dave explains to the film crew that we will need to get parts from Salt Lake City. |
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Long time friend and Turbinator crew memeber, Gary Wilkinson, saved the day for Team Vesco by rounding up gears, shafts and other parts in Salt Lake City. Team members Dave Spangler, Cliff & Rikki Scott made the pick up runs. Thanks Gary!
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| "Data Man" Ricco Kunze downloading Edlebrock data system. |
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| Team photographer, "Foto Fox" Rikki, gets her hands dirty under Chip's instructions. |
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| Eric makes another run. |
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| Crew disucss latest time. |
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Team Vesco ran out of time at Speed Week. However, we are confident that the sun will come out at World of Speed. See you there!
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| Unusual Salt sightings... |
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| "Ah.....shade!" |
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| ...shade....? |
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| Thanks again to our Fabulous Crew! |
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| Al "Engine Builder" Sanderson |
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| Rick "Crew Chief" Vesco |
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| Chip "Chuckles" Brosseau |
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| Ricco "Wi-Fi" Kunze |
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| Cliff "Videographer" Scott |
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| Karen "Peanuts" Spangler |
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| Super "Cowboy" Dave Spangler |
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| Rikki "Foto Fox" Scott and June Ritter |
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| Jinx "Pit Decorator" Vesco |
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| Jake "Future Racer" Woodard |
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| Jill "Jake's Mom" |
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| Mike "Monster" Immoos |
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| June & Eric "Everyones Favorite Couple" Ritter |
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| See you all at World of Speed - September 8th! |
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| And to the folks back home who keep their eye on the homestead... |
| Rick and Jinx Vesco want to say a special "thanks" to our dear neighbors, Tom & Sharon Kirkpatrick who watch over the place while we are racing and are always willing to help lift the body off the car, one more time! They have also been known to provide us with a much appreciated meal or two! We love you guys and we Thank You!
We also want to thank our granddaughter Jayden and her friend Tyler for helping Grandma Jinx shop for and load up all of the water and Gatorade to take to the Salt. And finally, to Summer and her family for keeping care of our beloved dog, Lily. We love you!
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