Crankshaft experiment

[Jack Gifford]

Well, yes, it's intended to look like part of an airplane. The body is a fiberglas replica of a P-38 drop tank. Starting in 1947 hot rodders used surplus aluminum drop tanks for the original landspeed racing "lakesters".

[Jack Gifford]

Another test-run with no breakage, this time on a quarter-mile track. Didn't learn much, due to a bad choice of gearing- too "tall" to get the engine into its intended rev range.

[beat]

well, - at least no breakage.

wich is something of a success.


beat

[Jack Gifford]

Tomorrow I'll be at the tenth-mile drag event again... This time with gearing that's more appropriate...

[beat]

[Jack Gifford]

The race car treated me good once more- no issues.
85.3 MPH at the end of the tenth-of-a-mile was 7,100 RPM, which is getting closer to the engine speed I want to see.
I need to improve some things in the cramped cockpit. For example, the required helmet and HANS device prevent me from tipping my head enough to view the harness buckle- a crew member must reach in and buckle it.

[Jack Gifford]

Got in two more tenth-mile runs with no damage. Had to abort the first run- about two seconds out the rear tires broke traction and tried to pass me! Gearing was only increased about 12% and I didn't expect wheelspin. On the second run I stayed away from full throttle for a couple of seconds, so I didn't see the 8,000 RPM I wanted- only 7,250. No more running this year, but I'm anxious to get to a landspeed track next season.

[beat]

wishes you the best for next season.....

beat

[Jack Gifford]

Thanks Beat! I'll be watching for some podium finishes with your 3-wheeler.