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| Team Vesco's #444 "Little Giant" |
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| TEAM VESCO SETS THE TOP SPEED RECORD OF THE MEET @ 310.982 mph !!! |
| Rhonnie Vesco is "Fast Lady" |
A proud dad, Rick Vesco congratulates daughter Rhonnie on her blazing 310.982 mph record run during World of Speed 2011. After completing her licensing runs Rhonnie commanded the ever so sleek Team Vesco #444 streamliner, powered by the Al Sanderson 304 c.i. Small Block Chevy, to the fastest speed record set at the meet. Rhonnie achieved an amazing top speed of 314 mph and was also hailed as the "Fast Lady" driver. Congratulations Rhonnie!
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| Take a Ride with Rhonnie! |
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| 444 push off |
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| Chutes out! |
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| Al Sanderson, Dave Spangler, Rick Vesco |
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| Rhonnie & Al after successful run |
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Engine builder Al Sanderson, (Upland CA) had a goal: to get Rhonnie Vesco in the 300 mph Club. Since the 1950s Al has been building powerful, record setting racing motors. This year was no exception. Al's 304 c.i. Small Block Chevy ran like a "Little Giant," reaching a top speed of 314 mph! Soft spoken Al simply said, "That's what I do." Team Vesco says, "THANK YOU AL!"
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| Rhonnie and proud dad, Rick Vesco |
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Rhonnie Vesco was honored to receive Utah Salt Flat Racing Association's "Fast Lady" trophy for her record setting one way speed of 314.418 mph at USFRA's annual awards banquet. After completing her licensing runs at the 25th Annual World of Speed event, Rhonnie commanded the ever so sleek Team Vesco #444 streamliner, powered by the Al Sanderson 304 c.i. Small Block Chevy, to the fastest speed record set at the meet at 310.981 mph. This speed propelled Rhonnie into the prestigious 300 mph chapter of the 200 mph Club.
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| Good job Rhonnie! |
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| Rick, Hugh, Gary |
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Rick, Hugh Coltharp and Gary Wilkinson reminisced and entertained the banqueteers with a history of the formation of the Utah Salt Flat Racing Association. It was 25 years ago when a handful of "speed freaks" began looking into ways to expand the number of racing events held each year on the Bonneville Salt Flats. USFRA has been hosting quality, safe and fun events ever since. Team Vesco salutes the group of dedicated volunteers and "salt guardians" that make it all possible.
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| Team Vesco Pits |
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| What a way to start the day! Thank you Mr. Tow for retrieving Rhonnie's keys! |
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| Co-driver Eric Ritter preps Rhonnie |
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| Mark and Jed help prep the car |
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| Rhonnie suits up |
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| Last minute instructions from "Super Dave" |
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| Dad tucks her in |
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| Dad, Mom & Rhonnie |
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| "At Your Leisure" TV show crew interview Rhonnie |
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| She is ready to go! |
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| Mom is a little tense! |
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| Starter Monty checks for clearance |
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| A successful qualifying run! |
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| Uncle Chuck Vesco was there too! |
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| The body is washed - thanks Bill! |
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| Cliff Scott & Rick "Ricco" Kunze analyze the data |
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| Super Dave makes dinner plans |
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| June explains things to Al |
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| 444 thunders down the course to set top record of the meet |
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| Relief! |
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| Fastest run yet 314 mph! |
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| Calls are made |
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| Bill Lee |
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| No nonsense Eric helps line up trailer for loading |
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| Ricco and Jed ready to load car onto trailer |
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| Rhonnie & Dan Warner |
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| 300 mph Club!! |
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After her 300+ mph Rhonnie and crew headed back to the impound area for the final inspection and certification. Everything checked out and 200 mph Club President, Dan Warner, presented Rhonnie her "blue cap" signifying her membership in the 300 mph Chapter of the 200 mph Club. Rhonnie's two-way run average official time was 310.9815 mph! She was entered in the D-Gas Streamliner powered by a 304 c.i. Small Block Chevy prepared by Al Sanderson. This record was the fastest record set at the World of Speed event. Rhonnie's top speed one way run of 314 mph gave her the title of USFRA's "Fastest Lady."
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| Signing the documents |
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| Monty Widdison (starter) gives Rhonnie her timing slip for her "unlimited" license |
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| New Friends & Old Friends |
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| Fast Dads & Fast Daughters: Rick & Rhonnie Vesco, Tegan & Seth Hammond waiting in impound to make their return run. |
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| Tegan Hammond gives Rhonnie a "taste" of Hawaii. |
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| Tegan inspects 444 and asks "Where is the upholstery?" |
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Success! Both girls set new landspeed records in their class! Proud dads in old hats pose with their daughters in their new hats! Way to go!
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A sad "Good bye..."
Long time Team Vesco friend and Turbinator crew member, Lee Burkey came to the salt and set up his pits next to Team Vesco. Lee was joined by his three sons & family members and excited to set a record with his motorcycle. Lee never made it back home to Texas as he passed away on Thursday Sept. 15th. Fortunately, Team Vesco members had been able to enjoy Lee's last days reminiscing and joking around with him. Lee always had a twinkle in his eye and a terrific sense of humor. Don Vesco had playfully changed Lee's name to "LeeeeRoy" more than 10 years ago and it was in that same playful spirit that Eric Ritter dressed up Lee's pits to surprise him. We also enjoyed showing him a video made a decade ago after he got into the 200 mph Club on his motorcycle. We will deeply miss you LeeeeRoy! Godspeed
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| Lee Burkey |
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| Eric prepares LeeRoy's pits |
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| Lee enjoys the joke! |
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| Lee takes a quick nap. |
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When Rhonnie set her new record she said, "That was for LeeRoy!" We suspect Uncle Don would say, "Go girl, well done."
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Lee's family has requested that donations be made to Save the Salt in Lee's name in lieu of flowers.
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| Karen Spangler with the lunches |
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THANK YOU!
Once again, Team Vesco thanks our energetic, talented crew. You come long distances to contribute to our effort with your talent and hard work. We appreciate you immensely!
2011 World of Speed Crew: Dave Spangler, Karen Spangler, Rikki Scott, Cliff Scott, Eric Ritter, June Ritter, Bill Lee, Rick "Ricco" Kunze, Jed Smith, Mark Fleisher, Al Sanderson, Lee, Holly Killen, Calvin Vesco, Jordan Borst and Jinx Vesco
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A special thanks to "Foto Fox" Rikki Scott for your beautiful photos and your kind and generous spirit that encourages the team, in fact, everyone you meet!
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| And finally, a great big THANKS to the USFRA for a great Meet! |
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