.

the car junkie daily magazine.

.

Bonneville Speed Week 2013: The Streamliner War (That Wasn’t?) – A Look At Speed Demon And Turbinator


Bonneville Speed Week 2013: The Streamliner War (That Wasn’t?) – A Look At Speed Demon And Turbinator

Coming in to Bonneville Speed Week 2013, we were hoping that a real barn burning streamliner war was going to break out among some of the machines rumored to be showing up. The two “heavyweights” in this battle were to be the Poteet and Main “Speed Demon” and the Team Vesco “Turbinator”. Tricky salt conditions and blown up parts have prevented this potential pitched battle from materializing, but there’s a lot of racing left to do.

In action on Sunday, Speed Demon blew up an engine and the team was forced to ditch the 386ci piece and stick their smaller 300ci piece in to complete the week with. If that engine goes kaput, the team will have to simply sit and wait and hope that their 443.656 terminal speed on Saturday will hold up to the coming onslaught. Assuming that it does hold, Speed Demon will be walking away with the much wanted Hot Rod top time trophy at the end of the week. With the salt conditions literally throwing competitors of all sizes and speeds for a loop, it may be good enough. There are a few other prize fighters here and on their way to try and top that though. Before we move onto them, take a peek at this gallery to get acclimated with the Poteet and Main Speed Demon!

Among the field of potential candidates for the Hot Rod Magazine Top Speed Trophy is the famed Turbinator of Rick Vesco. The fastest wheel driven car on Earth, the machine has run 470mph. The crazy part is that the car is now making more power than it made during its days as a 470mph runner. The streamliner is powered by a Lycoming T55 turbine that makes an estimated 4,500-5,000hp. These are the engines used in the Chinook helicopters and those suckers can practically carry buildings away. The Vesco team is here after a 13 year absence from the salt with the stated goal of winning the Top Time trophy. They’re sick of seeing Poteet and Main get it! They actually have two ‘liners. The first is the “Little giant” which is smaller than the Turbinator and is powered by a piston type automotive engine. While the car has been here for a day or two, neither have made a lap down the salt yet. Final prep was going on and morning plans were being laid to make sure everyone was ready to go when we visited their pits. The Turbinator certainly has the suds to win the race, but will the track hold up for anyone to actually make it down the track under full power? Only time will tell! Click below to see Team Vesco and their pair of ‘liners that aim to bust up the Speed Demon domination!

Bonneville_Speed_Week_2013_SCTA_Hot_Rod_Salt_BNI_Coupe_Monza_Streamliner_race_car553

 


  • Share This
  • Pinterest
  • 0