If you are reading this newest Chadmouth, you have no doubt seen all of our 2010 Bonneville Speedweek coverage, presented by Spectre Performance. And you are likely jealous that you couldn’t be there, or have now added it to your bucket list of places to go and see. I can tell you that this year, like every other, was as magical as any racing can be. You see, Bonneville isn’t like any other race venue you’ll visit. And, surprisingly, the salt doesn’t have much to do with it.

Don’t get me wrong, the fact that you are standing on a dried out chunk of salt that is miles wide and miles long is a definite trip. But if you just take a car out there and run as fast as you can, without anyone else around, it’s not going to be nearly as much fun as doing the same thing during Speedweek. It’s the same salt, and the same place, but it’s not the same event. Speedweek at Bonneville has the unique ability to bring young and old, and rich and poor, together on the same piece of hallowed ground for one week of racing. During that week, everyone is equal.

Famous teams like Cook, Jesel, Poteet & Main, Dannenfelzer, BMR, SoAl, and Winfield are expected to run fast and set records. But many people also expect them to be unaproachable. At Bonneville, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Guys like Mike Cook Sr. and Jr. are the first to lend a helping hand, and have often times helped someone out that is actually running against one of their records.

During Speedweek 2010, the weather was great, the racing was hot, and records were falling like mad. But amidst all the action, there was certainly something missing. That something was the Brauer family and their #716 Fuel Roadster. Family patriarch Gary Brauer is fighting a brutal fight with cancer and had to skip the 2010 Bonneville Speedweek. His son Mike had the roadster ready for the old man, but with a few days left it became apparent that racing wasn’t in the cards for August in 2010. 

Unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to get to know Gary Brauer and the rest of the Brauer family during my short tenur at Bonneville. But listening everyone talk about him this year let me know that he’s a guy I need to hang out with. Especially if he’s crazy enough to drive a Fuel Roadster!

Like most of the competitors you’ll find at Speedweek, Gary Brauer thrives on the battle between horsepower and salt. His shelves full of records, and 200mph Club Red Hat, are proof of years of dedication to horsepower. The love and concern fellow racers have for Gary, is proof of years of friendship, helping hands, and integrity on and off the salt.

Some people dream about driving flat out for a mile. Guys like Gary drive past the five and into the chutes. 

As Gary enters the 5th mile of life, we know he’ll be smiling from ear to ear because, unlike most unlucky souls in this world, he drove through life behind the wheel of an A Fuel Roadster. God Speed Gary. We’ll pick you up at the 7 old friend. 

On behalf of the Cook Family, all landspeed racers, and the entire BangShift.com family, I want to wish the Brauer family the best of luck. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Gary during this tough time. Know that we are here for you and thinking of you always.

Below you’ll find a video montage just for Gary. We hope you like it.