In May, and June, we went to test the roadster at El Mirage. 2 runs in May and 1 run in June with very little results. Since then we’ve been busy making more changes and trying to get ready for Bonneville in August. Right after we came back from El Mirage in June, we started to take car apart for paint and powder coat.

Meanwhile, I had to go to England for Goodwood Festival of Speed. You talk about an experience. What a good time every body who went had.

Right after coming back from U.K., hoping to get body panels back, and we were going to send chassis to powder coat. But painting wasn’t ready. Didn’t make our open house and wildman had to reschedule for lettering. Time is running out and I’m going to have to go to Louisville for NSRA show.

Came back from Louisville, body panels were picked up and ready for Hiro to letter and powder coated chassis were picked up. It’s August 4th and only 10days before we are to leave for Bonneville and so much to do, on top of all that we decided to build new bed for trailer because old trailer had been on salt so many years, frame rail had big holes. This was lot more than we bargained for.

Car was put together and body panel back on. Just wait for Hiro to come back and letter. August 7th, picked up Hiro at airport and he went straight to work. Hiro’s amazing work making looks of the car so much better. 9th, Hiro was done lettering. Took body panels to get cleared.

Tuesday 12th, picked up body panels. With clear coat, it look so good. As soon as we got back from picking up body panels, we went to final assembly on the car. Wired, plumbed and ready to fire. We’ve fired motor up and ready to go. But we still didn’t have trailer to haul race car yet.

15th, Friday, trailer is finished but not painted. We opted to go unpainted. Loaded truck and trailer and was ready to leave in the morning. It was 10:00pm already. Many people including myself who saw progress of car didn’t think we would make it. Especially those who knows me.

With all the help, we managed to have car and trailer ready in time. Met every body at the shop 6:30am Saturday. We were on our way to Bonneville. After 2 hours into our trip, we lost spare tire off trailer. Luckily it didn’t hit anything and we were able to retrieve it. It was my weld that broke. Through Vegas on I-15 and cut over to hwy 93. beginning of boring 6 hours of no change in scene drive.

After 12 hours of drive, we arrive in Wendover. Since race schedule was changed this year, we went straight to salt flat, but they won’t let anybody on the salt until Sunday 7;00am.

5:00am Sunday morning, we went to get in line. By 7:00am, gate was open and we headed straight to inspection. Since car was inspected at El Mirage, it didn’t take that much to go through tech.

First time on salt with new car. It looks so good, I can’t believe it’s something I built. Proportion, paint, lettering, everything came out so perfect. Salt was best condition I’ve seen in few years and they had 1 long course (5mile) and 2 short courses (3 mile).

I was swarmed by questions why blue not yellow. People are accustomed to company color yellow. It starts out years ago. Back in 1988 when I first went to Bonneville to see Fred Larsen run. Fred had streamliner that have set many records. Fred was long time employee of Moon and quite a engineer. After I got to meet him and see his streamliner, I wanted to build a car. This was my dream come true and I got to use his engine that was in streamliner. Fred got me on salt and running his engine, what other color would I paint?

Fred’s wife Marilou decided to come up and I’m overwhelmed that she came all the way to see the car run. Thank you Fred and Marilou!

After tech inspection, we went to set up pit and get ready to race.

Monday morning, we went to staging. 10:00am, first run on salt. Doug pushed me to speed and I’m on my way. First, second and third gear, car was very loose. And before I knew, I was sliding sideways. I must been going 100mph or more. Scary, but nothing you can do. Just go for a wild ride and hope it won’t tip over and come to stop real soon. I got after it too much too soon. Settle down and waited for Doug and Willie to come pick me up. After the spin, you have to through tech one more time. So we got in line and teched again. With no damage done to the car, we went to staging lane get ready for another pass. It was little after 4:00pm and I went my way. Through 4th gear everything seemed fine until I heard explosion. I knew right away blower popped. I pulled chute and got off course. I got out of the car and seen huge bobble on side panel from explosion. New paint job is ruined. Pushed to the pit and surveyed damage. Fortunately enough damage was only to burst plate which is replaceable. I checked with few people and found burst plate. We replaced it and ready for more excitement. First two runs I’ve made and both resulted in disaster, I was down in the dump.

Tuesday morning, we warmed up motor and readied for run. I took it easy this time and went through gears ever so gingerly. Went through 4 gears and went 180.499. Record for my class is 181.710. so close. We went for second try in the afternoon. This time I went through all 5 gears. 184.208. this qualifies me for record. Once you qualify for record, you go to impound and back it up in the morning. All record run is made next morning.

It’s Wednesday morning. Time to back up yesterday’s run. If I go over 181.710 average of 2 runs, then I get the record. Early in the morning, air is good. Should run lot better than yesterday afternoon. After 2 full runs, I was getting comfortable and got on my way. Tachometer broke yesterday, so I had to guess how far to pull. Motor revved up good and went through all gears. Felt good. Waited for Doug and Willie to come pick me up. 196.458. it’s a record. 190.333 average. First time out, after 2 disaster runs, it felt good. After setting record, you’ll have to be certified. You go through tech and go through engine certification. It’s all good. It’s now official.

Car turned out great! Thanks to everybody who helped.

Chico Kodama

Mooneyes USA, Inc.