But so far, so good! Upon arrival, I remembered on the last trip that Customs Immigration was cleared without exchanging one word with the Customs agent. But this time they seemed to be randomly and thoroughly asking questions.

You see, for someone like me that knows almost no English at all, questions are typically answered immediately with a clueless grin and "Yes!" - in rapid succession. So that is what I did and without even realizing it, the mood quickly began to sour. Then, with a serious look on the agent's face, a finger was pointed and a gesture was given to proceed in a different direction than the exit! "If only I had studied English..." is what I had pondered as I headed over to an area where they open one's luggage and take everything out for a complete search.

The person there was obviously aware that I did not understand English as he pointed to a board that had text in KANJI writing already prepared to confirm if I had any of the listed things - at which time I replied with a "No!" - firing off in repeated succession. Apparently, while shooting my "Yes" answers I admitted to carrying meats, fruits and other things that are not allowed. They eventually cleared and released me. Chico came to pick me up and was teasing because he noticed the look on my face and immediately knew I had been stopped. But I was relieved that I made it safely.

Another person that was very helpful on my last trip was Tim and he showed up about this time!! Everyone really looked excited to finally see the finished project that everyone had been working on. From nothing to complete. What ever they didn't have, they made it from scratch.

Chico asked, "You want me to take you back to the motel first?" Not wanting to interrupt their progress, I refused saying, "That's OK, no problem." With almost no sleep since leaving Japan, I eventually fell asleep at some point outside of the Machine Shop. They finished working after midnight and we got to the motel at 1:30 AM. With all this happening in one long day, August 14 was finally over.

15 AUG (FRIDAY)
Without delay, right when we arrive at MOONEYES USA, preparation work begins. We leave tomorrow, so any preparation work must be done by today. The day just beginning, the installation of each body panel slowly takes form and when it's finished, the '27 Modified T-LSR is complete.

The trailer is still in bare metal but it is also complete. The first thing that comes to mind when looking at the '27 Modified T-LSR is "COOL" and while thinking this, Doug standing next to me has a big grin and look on his face like "Right?"

Everything necessary for Bonneville is packed in the VAN and the '27 Modified T-LSR is loaded on the trailer. Preparation completed, the atmosphere is calm. The Dragster project is outside and Chico goes over to clean it up. Then the unexpected happens... Chico!! He looks like a old Japanese courier. Everyone bursts out laughing. Then he put on the perfect fitting hat and trots away and disappears into the Machine Shop. Alright! Finally, tomorrow we head for BONNEVILLE!!

16 AUG (SATURDAY)
The day is finally here and we move towards Bonneville. I wonder just how far apart I wonder how far apart is Bonneville and California. I was told it's about 12 hours by car. I've never been on a roadtrip driving 12 hours straight before so that didn't really help. But still, it sounds quite far. I will be riding with Yoshi-san as he drives the Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The Silverado 3500 is big on its own but pulling the MOONEYES trailer too makes it really long.

Focused on the road in front of me a tire comes flying by in front of us and quickly out of sight. "Huh? That tire just now... wasn't that the from our trailer?" Somehow, a weld had come loose and the trailer's spare tire came flying off.

Luckily it didn't make contact with anyone and Willy and Kenny that had been following behind us recovered the tire. Now we restart our roadtrip! Just then, I noticed how the landscape was so amazing. I don't think you can see this kind of view in Japan. On this day, I don't know how many time I thought how nice the landscape and colors were.

We take a pit stop for food and gas in Las Vegas, then continue on. While we had stopped we discovered that the Chevrolet Silverado's A/C was not working. Knowing that, it seemed to get even hotter. Getting beyond Las Vegas, there are no people and it's very desolate.

I don't know how long we had been driving and the day felt really long. Then the trailer in front of us started to stop. We reached Wendover! Our time of arrival was 7PM - 12 hours to travel 640 miles. Hmm? This view, I think I've seen it in a book before. All kinds of writing but standing out the most, oddly enough, is the word LARSEN painted in large block letters. What a strange feeling.

We get to "End of Road" shown on the map and the moon is already in the sky. Looking around and the scenery I notice Yoshi-san has gone over to the salt. "It's very hard and crunchy feeling" he says. It's like a dream come true to be able to actually stand on the legendary Salt Flats.

The "Bonneville Speedway" road sign displayed doesn't get smaller, the world around it begins to change to salt, a white salt world. Like driving through snow country, it is a very strange sensation. We arrive at the End of Road.

We get back to the motel, get some food for dinner and later head over to check out an area where hot rods had gathered in a casino parking lot. Initially, I had thought it was a special one-day event but come to find out, during Bonneville Speedweek, hot rods gather in the parking lots like this everyday. In a very friendly atmosphere, car after car, there are hot rods gathered. The scene is incredible. It's hard to describe. Like a hot rod heaven feeling.

By the way, running straight through here is the state line for Nevada and Utah. Cross one street and you are in a different state. The strange thing too is that Nevada and Utah are one hour apart in time zones! Now here's where it gets tricky. For example walking from the casino parking lot to the motel takes about 10 minutes. If I leave there at 11:00, I arrive at the hotel at 12:10! Be careful of lack of sleep.

17 AUG (SUNDAY)
We are out of the door at 4AM, the sun is not even out yet. With only the moonlight, we head for the Bonneville Salt Flats Speedway entrance. Gates open by 7AM so we must wait at "End of Road".

Gradually, the sun starts to make light on the landscape. The open space is serene and makes me think a bit more about this world we live in. Just after 6:30, we hear a burst of joy and cheers from people in line ahead of us - gates are opening - and all at once you hear everyone starting their engines. At last, we have officially entered Bonneville Salt Flats Speedway!!

We first move quickly to the official booth for inspection and then over to the pit area. The ground is really white. In any direction, it's perfectly level. "Awesome" is all I can say. No, it's all I can say over and over again repeatedly.

We get to the pit area and get out of the cars. You get an idea of what the ground looks like. El Mirage is crispy feeling too but Bonneville is like ice or snow. It feels smooth too. I couldn't resist, I had to taste it and sure enough, it's salt! However is quite bitter.

I can't read the terms because it was written in English but I signed anyway and received my Pit Pass. '27 Modified T-LSR is returned to the pits. As we started preparations we learned that we would not be racing today so there wasn't a need to continue.

It was 9:30AM. You mean we could have taken our time this morning? Maybe catch up on some much needed sleep? I soon learned the answers to those questions. Soon enough there were around 500 race vehicles which all needed inspections.

Below is the official layout of the 2008 Bonneville Speedway

At 9AM the Driver's Meeting is held and National Anthem is played.

It is Hot Rodding history and a place of amazing stories that have a significant meaning all made right here where I stand is an unbelievable thought. I first learned of Speedweek in 1999. It was a magazine article about the 50th Speedweek and that was how I found out about this event. All that I had read about was about to take place right before my very eyes. One by one, cars begin to line up as far as I can see and slowly they begin the runs.

Chico is getting closer to the Start line.

As I got up to head back to the starting line, I could see Chico getting further away in the distance. Then I see the car move left one time then to the right, out of the course. "SPIN!" I see Zap-san and as if it's okay to go over to the car. He said the car didn't roll and it doesn't look like anything major but in any case he was pretty sure that only officials were allowed to go to the scene. You can see the response people immediately head to the car. I try to see Chico but make no sight of him. Then they come back this way and I meet Chico. "Are you OK?" I ask Chico. He rubs his head and shows me his thumb.

Since Chico spun, the '27 Modified T-LSR had to be inspected and once it did it returned to the pit area. I see Chico and he approaches and asks, "Your sunburn okay?" I reply with, "No, no, are you okay?" and he just grins. I notice moments later he slowly poured cold runner on his head and chuckles. After lunch, maintenance is finished and then it was over to the line for a second run.

PM4:46
'27 Modified T-LSR 2nd Start (Short Course) This time it's on!! Go Chico!! As Chico lined up at the starting line, I confirmed a spot and decided I wasn't walking back to the pits this time. Once the car started on its run, I caught a ride back to the pits and waited. "Not yet, not yet?" I kept thinking while waiting and then I saw the push truck. Everyone face seemed concerned, it was a dark mood. It seemed that while on the run, the '27 Modified T-LSR something broke. Doug and Willie began repairs. Looking at the car I noticed the right side panel was warped. Later on I asked and was told that the blower burst plate had broke like this and caused the right side panel to warp. However, being that this a safety part for the blower, it was important to exchange the part. Work began and Bonneville Salt Flats was put second.

The entire day was beyond anything I would have imagined. Chico was a bit down. We ate at a burger shop and I could tell Doug was trying to cheer and encourage Chico up. Later, I heard Doug tell him that it's not always easy and trouble free as these things will happen. They talked for a while and we returned to the motel.

Here was my major SNAFU... We put everything down. I needed to get a change of clothes so I went back to the Van. Got the clothes from my bag, put everything back in its place, made sure I closed and locked the Van then proceeded back to the motel room. When I realize I didn't have the car keys I asked everyone if they saw them and looked everywhere. I went back to the Van to see if I dropped them, back tracking my steps, then looked at my bag in the Van and sure enough, the keys were sitting right next to it. Apologized to everyone profusely. Chico said there's a spare key in the Machine Shop. Yoshi-san says, "OK send him now to go get that spare!" I have a big rain cloud over my head, oh no... He was joking, and then Willie makes the gesture of holding a large rock and smashing the window, giving me advice. I then hear "HARIKIRI!!" and "Naked in the pool" I'm in the motel parking lot doing a Japanese style extreme apology, where you get on both knees and bow down for forgiveness. About an hour later AAA came and unlocked the door with ease. I was then the material for many a joke, hearing, "Hey PAN, where's that key I let you borrow?" Yoshi-san even said it brought Chico back to his happy mood. But I was really sorry to cause such trouble...

10:46 AM '27 Modified T-LSR 3rd Run Start (Short Course)
Once the '27 Modified T-LSR left and photographs were taken I immediately got a ride back to the pit are to wait. This time, everything seemed right. The sound of the car, its acceleration looked quick. Maybe? You think? I waited. Look at this smile. Easily understood. You didn't have to ask him as you could tell the results were pleasing. The recorded speed was 181.499 mph. The class record is 181.709 mph not even 1 mph. "You will do it!!" The whole team in high spirits, we all prepared for the next run.

I wonder what the speed was? Once again without even asking, you could just read Chico's body language. Looks better than yesterday... perhaps more than 200 mph??? We take a group photo. On the way back on the return road, Doug received a sheet from an official. I get out of the car following him and he tells me to come around this way pointing at Chico. I wonder, "Something happened?" Chico wanted to see the sheet and Doug slowly hands it over. 196.458 mph!! Along with yesterday's average, the official speed was 190.331 mph - a new world record speed!! Everyone was overcome with joy! I can't believe it but am so happy to be standing right here!

Getting to this point, it's over to the Long Course for 200 mph!!

5:21 PM '27 Modified T-LSR 6th Run Start (Long Course)
Now, it's my first time on the push truck which give an entirely different angle of watching the race.

Results come back: 195.420 mph. Short of making the 200 mark. However, the results again average to beat the record Chico just made so the car is returned again at the IMPOUND area. Tomorrow is also the last day of the races so whether or not he beats his new record, it's the last race. Once the race is finished we head back to California. Cry or Laugh, tomorrow is the final day.

8:30 AM
'27 Modified T-LSR 7th Run Start (Long Course) After seeing that there was an accident I said, "Be careful Chico!" and he left the starting line. Headed back to the pit area and we began to clean up and pack up. Seeing Chico's face as he returned to where we were, you could kind of tell he didn't go over 200 mph. His speed was 192.274 mph. Although the 200 mark was not reached, we still go home with a new world record of 193.847 mph!! Even so, preparation for our return home was in a quiet manner.

Chico's '27 Modified T-LSR might make that 200 mph next time!! I wish that the world of Land Speed Racing would get more exposure in Japan and more Japanese be able to see and hear about it. For this reason, I wanted to write as much as possible, not just the races but my personal level of experience from these trips. It makes the report longer to read but I am thankful you have read this.

"Don't Sleep!!!!!" Drifting off into a daze all of a sudden the car window is opened all the way and the wind comes in. In a loud voice Willie says, "You can sleep, but I can't sleep because I gotta drive! So don't sleep. Want a cookie?" I reply with, "...Thank you!!" and then Kenny said while laughing, "Hey you can speak English!" I laugh out loud. Then the two of them start singing the song on the radio out loud and moving their whole body, dancing too! These two are tough. Oh yeah, I am not done with my trip yet. I still have to return to California! Until the last minute, the trip is enjoyed!

PAN