ROAD RUNNERS News / Special Events:

Last Updated: Sunday, August 24, 2008 08:27 AM

Bonneville Speedweek 2008 - Road Runners Daily Results -
Monday - Down Runs:
#675 XXO/FCC - Harris & Wester - 207.344 (qualifies for record) (exit speed 210.002) - Bill Harris
#1616 B/DT - McRat Racing - 150.243 (qualifies for record on Rookie Run) (Rookie speed limit is 150) - Pat McSwain (prospective member)
#3076 C/STR - San Berdoo Roadsters - turn out - run #1 , spin / blown engine - run #2 - Jim Kitchen
#7008 A/PP - Campbell Family Racing - 130.731 run #1, 139.946 run #2 - Casey / Tim Campbell

Tuesday - Record Runs:
#675 XXO/FCC - Harris & Wester - 207.296 (exit speed 209.218) - New Record of 207.320 and 200 MPH Club membership - Bill Harris
- Bill Harris Bonneville 200 MPH Club Red Hat Presentation - (cell phone picture by Mike Retzlaff )
#1616 B/DT - McRat Racing - 149.754 - New Record of 149.998 - Pat McSwain (prospective member)

Tuesday - Down Runs:
#6751 XXO/FALT - Harris & Wester - No additional runs. Preping car for class change and record attempt on their own XXO/FALT record.
#1616 B/DT - McRat Racing - No additional runs recorded. Fixing safety issue on window net. 175mph limit set on truck due to no parachute, window clips or roof rails.
#3076 C/STR - San Berdoo Roadsters - 210.181 (qualifies for record) (exit speed 211.264) - Jim Kitchen
#7008 A/PP - Campbell Family Racing - 129.213 run #1, 128.476 run #2 - Casey / Tim Campbell

Wednesday - Record Runs:
#3076 C/STR - San Berdoo Roadsters - 210.396 (exit speed 210.846) - New Record of 210.288 - Jim Kitchen

Wednesday - Down Runs:
#6751 XXO/FALT - Harris & Wester - 209.965 (qualifies for record) (exit speed 213.506) - Richard Ross
#1616 B/DT - McRat Racing - 167.158 (qualifies for record) - Pat McSwain (prospective member)
#3076 C/STR - San Berdoo Roadsters - No additional runs. Headed for home with new record. Congrats Jim!
#7008 A/PP - Campbell Family Racing - 134.656 run #1, 134.564 run #2, 132.806 run #3 - Casey / Tim Campbell

Thursday - Record Runs:
#6751 XXO/FALT - Harris & Wester - 204.415 (exit speed 192.390) - New Record of 207.190 and 200 MPH Club membership - Richard Ross
(They had some engine issues on the Record Run. A/O 11am Pacific they are tearing down the engine and will attempt XXO/GC record if engine can be repaired.)
#1616 B/DT - McRat Racing - 166.542 Return Run - New Record of 166.850 - Pat McSwain (prospective member)
(Cracked injector at 2.5mi, engine shut down, coasted thru 3mi trap at 142.306. Speed at 2.25mi trap was 174.586.)

Racing Notes: Light westerly winds forecast for morning. Strong W to WSW winds forecast for Thursday afternoon.

Thursday - Down Runs:
#675 XXO/FCC, #6751 XXO/FALT - Harris & Wester - Engine problems could not be fixed at Bonneville. They are leaving the Salt today with two new records and two new Bonneville 200MPH Club Red Hats. Way to go guys!
#1616 B/DT - McRat Racing - No additional runs. Leaving Salt with new record. Nice first effort!
#7008 A/PP - Campbell Family Racing - 133.428 - Casey / Tim Campbell

Racing Notes: Jesel and Goldstrom #6972 C/STR qualifies at 214.868 on Jim Kitchen's new record of 210.288.
Course shut down and racing suspended in afternoon due to high winds. Forecast for Friday is much more favorable.

Friday - Down Runs:
#7008 A/PP - Campbell Family Racing - No additional runs.

Racing Notes: Weather today - cool with light to no wind.
Jesel and Goldstrom #6972 C/STR Record Run was 201.925 for a two way average of 208.297 against Jim Kitchen's new record of 210.288. Whew!!!!

Saturday - Down Runs:
All Road Runners have left the Salt. Congratulations to all for a very successful week!

Racing Notes: All challengers to new and existing Road Runners Bonneville records have left the Salt.

(updated Aug 24, 2008 - 8:33am Pacific)

August Road Runners Meeting, 8/12/08 - (Follow up) - We had a great turn out for our Bonneville Bon Voyage dinner gathering at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Riverside. It was a very nice evening and great social event for Club members and their families. The food was good and no one left hungry. Attending were - Reese Adams, Bill and Veronica Anderson, Wendel Burns and daughter Sarah, Mark and Julie Cavender, Dave Consalvo, Jerry and Susan Cornelison, Mike Ferguson, Buddy Fitzgerel, Terry Geer, Bill and Dianne Harris, John and Nancy Julis, Jim and Susan Kitchen, Willie and Pam Martin, Jack and Pat Masson, (prospective member) Pat and Kat McSwain and their two children, Pat and Delia Riley and Mark and Gwen Saxlund. Many thanks to Jack Masson for organizing this event.

Our Road Runners members racing at Speedweek this year are: Harris & Wester #675 XXO/FALT (Bill Harris, Dale Wester and Richard Ross), Jim Kitchen #3076 C/STR (Jim Kitchen) & Campbell Racing #7008 A/PP (Casey Campbell & Tim Campbell). A possible entry is the McRat Racing Diesel Truck (prospective member Pat McSwain) if the truck is ready by next week. Several members will be attending as event volunteers and spectators. Pat Riley will be working in Tech doing inspections and Delia Riley will be assisting Judy Sights (Gear Grinders) with driver safety gear checks. Club Members attending as spectators will be Mark Cavender, Buddy Fitzgerel, Mike Retzlaff and Ty O'Neal. (Sorry if I missed anyone - E-mail me and let me know if I did.)

We wish all our racers the best of luck for a safe meet and new records! (updated Aug 14, 2008)

August Road Runners Meeting - Our tradition is to suspend our regular August business meeting and hold a "Bon Voyage" dinner gathering to send our Bonneville Speedweek participants off with wishes for safe racing, good luck and lots of records.

On Tuesday, August 12th at 7pm, we will meet at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Riverside (3191 Mission Inn Ave. - click here for directions). We have a room reserved for our group. The food is very good and prices are reasonable at the Spaghetti Factory.

If you have not already talked with Jack Masson, please call him at 951-737-9449 to make your reservations. Hope to see you there! (posted August 1, 2008)

July El Mirage Meet Cancelled - Here is the official word from SCTA:

"07/18/08 8am: Due to the mud and standing water on the lakebed from recent thunderstorms, the July 2008 SCTA El Mirage Time Trials have been cancelled. There will be no Racing News published for July."

SCTA-BNI website: http://www.scta-bni.org/

Next race date at El Mirage is September 14th. In case you don't have it, here is the BLM information number for El Mirage. The recording gives El Mirage info and lakebed conditions: 1-760-388-4411 (posted July 18, 2008)

Road Runner Meeting Notes - Tuesday, July 8th, 8pm at Ed Martin Garage - The Club welcomed guest Pat McSwain, prospective member (second meeting).

Jim Onorato, from Levittown, NY was voted into the Club as an Associate Member. Jim comes from a family with a long Drag Racing history in the New York area. He also is a Hot Rod builder and historian. Jim is now bringing his son into the family legacy as they build a '73 Chevy Nova 396 for the strip. Welcome to the Road Runners Jim!

It was noted that we have a large number of new Road Runners members. Bill Harris has volunteered to develop a New Member Orientation program to cover Road Runners, El Mirage and Bonneville processes and procedures. More information will be following.

A lot of Club business was conducted and a full copy of the Road Runners Meeting minutes are available upon request. (Contact Jerry Cornelison for copy.) One key point of discussion needs to be mentioned. All members, especially those involved with racing and Patrol Duty activities at El Mirage, need to be sure you have read the current El Mirage Procedures and Patrol Duty information pamphlet. Penalties for infraction of rules and procedures are being assessed by SCTA. We have not had any problems related to our Club and members. Reading and understanding the ELM and Patrol info pamphlet will ensure we continue with that record.

Road Runners tradition is that we suspend our regular August business meeting in favor of a dinner meeting to wish our Speedweek competitors "Bon Voyage" and good racing. In that tradition, our August meeting will be held at Miguell's Mexican Resturant in Corona on Tuesday, August 12. Jack Masson is handling the details. As soon as information is available, it will be posted on this News page also.

Next regular business meeting of the Road Runners is Tuesday, Sept 9th at 8pm, at Ed Martin Garage. Also, if in the area, don't forget "Burrito Thursdays" at Ed Martin Garage! (posted July 9, 2008)

June El Mirage Results and July Start Positions - Now posted on our Results / Points / Standings webpage. (posted June 24, 2008)

Road Runner Meeting Notes - Tuesday, June 10th, 8pm at Ed Martin Garage - Three guests were introduced: Keri Consalvo - prospective member (fourth meeting), Pat McSwain – prospective member (first meeting) and Jim Siegmund – Guest of Jim Kitchen.

Keri Consalvo submitted her application for membership and was voted into the Club. Keri will be sharing riding duties with husband Dave on the Consalvo Racing – Hayabusa. Jerry Cornelison presented an application for Associate Membership on behalf of Pat O’Hern. Pat was a Road Runner from 1947-1949. During the same time he also raced jalopies at the old Carrell Speedway. Following his lakes racing and jalopy racing he raced Class F Production cars in the SCCA. Pat is retired and lives in Fountain Hills, Arizona with his wife Susan. Pat was also voted into the Club. Welcome new Road Runners!

President Mike Ferguson gave a report on our annual Club Banquet/BBQ held on May 31^st.. We all had a good time and there was lot’s of good food. To quote Mike, “If you left hungry, it was your own fault.” Three awards were presented: Top Speed Trophy went to the Ferguson & Adams Team, the Top Points Trophy was awarded to the Harris & Wester Team and the third award was deferred to our June Club meeting. The award that carried over from the BBQ was the presentation of the Harvey Haller Memorial Trophy. President Mike Ferguson presented the perpetual Trophy and a commemorative Plaque to Pat Riley at Tuesday night's meeting. Pat and Delia were out of town during the BBQ.

For the benefit of our newer members, the following is an explanation of the Harvey Haller Memorial Trophy. The award is named for Harvey Haller, Road Runners member from the mid 40’s to 1953. He was a recipient of the Pete Dean Memorial Sportsmanship Trophy – 1948, participated in first Bonneville Speedweek – 1949 and is a member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club – 1953. Harvey Haller lost his life in a Streamliner crash. The Harvey Haller Memorial Trophy is presented to a Road Runner member who, like Harvey Haller, has gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to the Club. The Trophy is not presented annually but rather, only when deserved. Congratulations to all the 2007 Road Runners award recipients.

Full copy of the Road Runners Meeting minutes available upon request. Contact Jerry Cornelison for copy.

Next regular meeting of the Road Runners is Tuesday, July 8th at 8pm, at Ed Martin Garage. Also, if in the area, don't forget "Burrito Thursdays"! (posted June 12, 2008)

May El Mirage Results and June Start Positions - Now posted on our Results / Points / Standings webpage. (posted May 19, 2008) (updated June 10, 2008)

Road Runner Meeting Notes - Tuesday, May 13th, 8pm at Ed Martin Garage - Two guests, Steve Johnson and Gary Deaton joined us for our May meeting. Associate Member John Julis also attended.

Steve Johnson submitted his application for membership and was voted into the Club. Steve raced a front engine dragster from 1974 to 1980 and rear engine dragster from 1984 to 1989. He is building a motorcycle powered Lakester for SCTA-BNI competition. Steve and his wife Debby live in Joshua Tree. Welcome to the Road Runners Steve!

The Road Runners now have 12 cars and bikes able to race during the 2008 Season. Seven should make the season opener this weekend at El Mirage. We have another 7 vehicles under construction and several of those should be ready to race later this season. This will the largest number of vehicles and race teams for the Road Runners in years. Congratulations Road Runners! We are definitely on a roll........

REMINDER: Road Runners Annual Banquet/BBQ - RSVP ASAP

Full copy of the Road Runners Meeting minutes available upon request. Contact Jerry Cornelison for copy.

Next regular meeting of the Road Runners is Tuesday, June 10th at 8pm, at Ed Martin Garage. Also, if in the area, don't forget "Burrito Thursdays"! (posted May 14, 2008)

Road Runner Meeting Notes - Tuesday, April 8th, 8pm at Ed Martin Garage - Guests and prospective members, Steve Johnson, Margie Mayer and Kari Consalvo attended our meeting last evening. Associate Member John Julis joined us also, driving to the meeting in his cool '32 roadster with the brand new 302 Ford "Cobra" engine installed. Nice ride!

We had a lengthy discussion and vote on proposed rules and penalties from an SCTA Committee chaired by Pat Riley. The intent of the Committee's work is to provide clearly defined and consistently applied rules and penalties for infractions of El Mirage procedures. This has been long overdue and generally favored by all the SCTA membership. Great work by Pat and his Committee. The results will be presented to the SCTA and likely will be added to the El Mirage Procedures this season.

Bill Harris told the Club about the upcoming Old Fart's Racing Team Picnic and Car Show that will be held at the National Guard Armory at Fairmont Park on June 8th. Since this is not an SCTA race weekend, Bill suggests and encourages that the Road Runners participate in this event as a Club activity. Bring your race car and/or hot rod and show it at the Old Fart's show. Sounds like fun!

Reminder that El Mirage Days will be held, on the lakebed, on May 3rd and 4th. The workday/clean-up day will be on Saturday the 3rd. BBQ, Poker Run and other events on Sunday the 4th. It is very important that SCTA and the Road Runners have a good turn out for the lake clean up day on Saturday.

Next regular meeting of the Road Runners is Tuesday, May 13th at 8pm, at Ed Martin Garage. Also, if in the area, don't forget "Burrito Thursdays"! (posted Apr 9, 2008) (updated Apr 11, 2008)

Road Runner Meeting Notes - Tuesday, March 11th, 8pm at Ed Martin Garage - Another new Road Runner joined the Club last evening. Welcome to Dave Consalvo. He will be racing a 2000 Suzuki, GSX1300R in the 1350cc/P-P Class. He and wife Kari are very eager for the new El Mirage racing season to begin. Welcome Dave and Kari!!

We enjoyed the company of four Guests and one out of town Associate Member at the meeting. Mel Weber, Road Runners 1959-1963, and current Associate Member was visiting from Clovis. Guests included: Kari Consalvo, new member Dave Consalvo's wife. Kari is a prospective member and possibly will be racing her own Suzuki. Margie Mayer, new member Wendel Burn's fiance attended with Wendel. Margie is also a prospective member and may co-drive the 63 1/2 Falcon Futura Wendel is building. Steve Johnson, prospective member, visited us for the first time. He is a former Drag Racer and is interested in building a Lakester. Gary Deaton, a long time friend of Road Runner Mark Saxlund was our fourth guest. Welcome all - very glad you joined us!

The annual Road Runners Banquet (BBQ) was discussed and a date set for May 31st (weekend following Memorial Day). More information will be coming out soon. All Road Runners, past and present, their families and friends are invited.

Patrol assignments have been completed for the 2008 season. We have also posted the Patrol Position numbers. Please visit the "Duties Page" for info.

Reminder that El Mirage Days will be held, on the lakebed, on May 3rd and 4th. The workday/clean-up day will be on Saturday the 3rd. It is very important that SCTA and the Road Runners have a good turn out for this event. More info on this forthcoming.

Next regular meeting of the Road Runners is Tuesday, April 8th at 8pm, at Ed Martin Garage. Also, if in the area, don't forget "Burrito Thursdays"! (posted Mar 12, 2008)

"Back in the Day" - Vintage Road Runners pictures - a nostalgic visit to Dry Lakes racing and Hot Rods! New page being added to our website. It is a "work in progress". The first of many pictures and accompanying information has been added. Keep watching the site. There is a lot more that will be added over the next days and weeks. "Back in the Day" (posted Mar 5, 2008)

Road Runners Patrol Assignments and Club Duties for the 2008 racing season have now been posted on our website (Race Schedule and Duty Assignments Page). Please review the page for your assignment. There are links on the page for resources that will give you information regarding duties. We will also discuss Club Duties and Assignments at our next regular meeting on March 11th. (posted Feb 21, 2008)

Road Runner Meeting Notes - Tuesday, February 12th, 8pm at Ed Martin Garage - We welcomed a new member to the Road Runners last night. Wendell Burns was voted into the club. He is building a 63 1/2 Falcon Futura. Car classification yet to be determined. He hopes to have the car ready to race in May. Wendell's fiance, Margie Mayer attended the meeting as a guest. Margie may be driving the car also. Welcome to the Road Runners Wendell! Our second prospective member, Dave Consalvo, had to be out of town on business. He will attend the March meeting and submit his membership application at that time.

Club duties were discussed. Volunteers for Course Walk, Course Prep, Club Reps and some of the Patrol assignments were set. The balance of the Patrol duties will be volunteered for or assigned by Thrusday, Feb 21st, and posted on the website (Race Schedule and Duty Assignments Page). Jack Masson, Vice President and in charge of Patrol Duty Assignments will be contacting you regarding your Patrol Duties, if assigned/volunteered for.

There will be several new additions to the El Mirage Procedures document. As soon as the new ELM is available, there will be a link from our website (also on the Race Schedule and Duty Assignments Page) to the revised document.

The entry fee charges for El Mirage proposed by the BLM have been postponed until Oct 1, 2008. As soon as all is finalized, we will have information available. Two good by-products of the proposed entry fees are that we should, once again, have an official BLM presence on the Lake during our race events and there will be control over access and damage to the lakebed when it is wet. Both of those are good!

Next regular meeting of the Road Runners is Tuesday, March 11th at 8pm, at Ed Martin Garage. Also, if in the area, don't forget "Burrito Thursdays"! (posted Feb 13, 2008)

Congratulations to Richard and Rachel Ross - The Harris & Wester Race Team has a new member. Hadyn Lee Ross, 6 pounds, 14 ounces, was born on Jan 18, 2008, at 2pm in Joshua Tree. Mom and little Hadyn are both doing great. Dad reports that "big sister" Teagan is a little bit jealous but they kind of expected that. Hadyn won't make her "debut" at El Mirage as early as Teagan did (6 days old) but look for her at the first meet of the year in May. (posted Jan 19, 2008)

Road Runner Meeting Notes - Tuesday, January 8th, 8pm at Ed Martin Garage - We had four guest for our first meeting of the new year. Wendel Burns and Dave Consalvo, prospective members attended their second meeting. Dave's wife, Keri, visited also. John Julis, friend and supporter of the Road Runners attended and submitted his application for Associate Membership. John was voted into the Club. Welcome John!

Lots of old and new business impacting our Club and SCTA was covered. Items included proposed BLM use fees for El Mirage, Bonneville Speedweek and the increasing number of entries, proposed changes to El Mirage Proceedures as well as other vital issues. It was a very informative and productive meeting.

Very important reminder regarding 2008 dues: If you have not paid your 2008 Road Runners and SCTA dues yet, please do so as soon as possible. All dues for current members must be paid by January 31, or that member will be dropped from the Club. Dues are: Regular Member (RR/SCTA) is $70; Associate Member (RR only) is $30.

The next regular Road Runners meeting is on Ferbuary 12, 2008, 8:00pm, at Ed Martin Garage. (posted Jan 10, 2008)

Road Runners News Archive - 2006/2007