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US Land Steam Record!!

Posted by chuk williams 
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
July 26, 2011 04:19PM
Team Steam,
Hope y'all get the engine in the car without pulling your hair out, you guys are doing a good job. Are there going to be any road tests before leaving for Utah?
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
July 29, 2011 06:04PM
Hey Everyone-

Harry and I have decided to delay our Bonneville Record Attempt until October to give us more time to road test the Streamliner. We apologize for any travel inconvenience this may have already caused you, but rest assured that this tough decision wasn't an easy one to make.

However, we do have some very exciting news. We've found an ideal spot to do our test runs! It’s only preliminary and there’s a lot of red tape to deal with, but we have been in contact with NASA at the Kennedy Space Center and we're fairly certain that we can do our test runs on the Space Shuttle landing strip!

Testing the Cyclone Streamliner at the home of some of the most incredible technology developed over the last century is a great opportunity to show the World what a real steam machine can do! We might have enough length to set an unofficial speed record there-before going to Bonneville-just a few miles from the site of the original 1906 Land Steam Record site in Ormond Beach, Florida.

We'll keep you informed of our test dates, and look forward to seeing everyone either at Cape Canaveral or at Bonneville!



Chuk

TEAM STEAM USA
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
July 29, 2011 06:19PM
Chuk,

Cape Canaveral is a very good option. Ths choice will make it possible for more of us to become witnesses. Also, camping at Bonneville without facilities would not be a lot of fun. Cape Canaveral has luxurious air conditioned motel rooms. We all will be happier. We really appreciate the dedication you and Harry have exhibited to get this job done.

Best of luck to you and Harry, we are all behind you no matter where you decide to make the run.

jerry
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
July 29, 2011 06:39PM
I Second. Get it solid, see what it can do, make improvements. We all know this record is going to be broken sooner or later. Hope to still see you in Bonneville in the fall, but NASA landing strip is pretty damn cool... Good Luck!
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
July 30, 2011 08:43AM
Hey Chuk and Harry...
I think its a great idea to make sure its all ready and safe... and florida is a great place to test this tech... and the Nasa site...that would be even more exciting then the Salt Flats...and it would be easier for many of us to get to, and not have to sleep in tents in the extreme heat of utah... so we are behind you on your decision . kat (mike)
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
July 30, 2011 09:04AM
Will there be an official organization at Bonneville in October to observe the runs?
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
July 30, 2011 10:31AM
Hey-Thanks for the positive feedback...I'm still pretty down about missing Speed Week, and getting your feedback definitely helps!

Yes, there is another sanctioned event at Bonneville in October. It's called the World Finals, and is going to be from the 5th thru the 8th this year. The temperature there is a bit more reasonable in October, and there are fewer entrants, so it's a bit more of a slow-paced easy going event. So they tell me--I haven't been there for this event before. The Cyclone crew and I are continuing our push to get the Streamliner running and tested as soon as we can, so we can do some runs at the Space Center before going to the Salt Flats.

We're going to bring the Cyclone to the Time Trials in Berrien Springs in September, so if any of you want to get a close up look--plan on joining us there...


Chuk

TEAM STEAM USA
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
July 30, 2011 11:32AM
Chuk-Harry,

Smartest decision you two can ever make. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! No one says that the car has to run a Bonneville this year.
Canaveral would be a super test site and easily reached for you and Harry already has a relationship with them. They have calibrated radar sets that can measure the car's speed to the nth degree.
I would think that NASA would just love the publicity fallout.

For that matter, what's wrong with setting the record at Canaveral?? I know that landing strip and I think it is long enough if the car can accelerate fast enough and it should. Just be sure that the FIA will accept the timing, or see what timing crew can do the two way runs and have their numbers accepted. Should not be a problem.
After all, wasn't the ultimate land speed record by a jet car set at Edwards Air Base in California and measured using their calibrated radar and the speed was accepted by the FIA? I recall that Bonneville was too short that year for the ultimate speed run. Or was that at Black Rock desert?

I still advise as strongly as I can, take the car to some good race car shop near the Cyclone shop that has a chassis dyno and run it to see if you have enough hp for the speed you want to achieve. Florida is loaded with such shops, as are we around here.
Every race car shop around here that has a newer chassis dyno can go to 200 mph if necessary and can take the latest racing Corvette, 700 hp, although no one runs over about 100 mph. That is frightening enough.
I keep telling Harry that all you want to know is what top speed it will achieve and then at that speed what horsepower was developed at the rear wheels, that is all you need to find out and a chassis dyno will do exactly that. Add a good fudge factor to take in rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag and you will then have the data you need to make a speed run with confidence.
A chassis dyno is not for engine development, only to find out those two parameters. Used them dozens of times.

Jim
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
July 30, 2011 05:02PM
Jim, how much hp did your steam racer show on the chasis dyno?
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
July 31, 2011 12:08PM
350 hp at 85,000 rpm. Driveline losses were minimal.

Absolutely, Canaveral is the better place to test the car and make the official run by a long shot.
Camping on the salt flats is the armpit of creation, only the desperate do that or bring a huge motor home. Florida is so much better in all respects it isn't even funny.
This was one smart decision, when it's ready and tested then run it at speed. Cyclone doesn't need the bad publicity of a failed run so far from home, the publicity would be devistating and totally unnecessary. Test-test-test until all questions are answered.

Jim
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
August 01, 2011 10:16AM
Must agree, good decision. Hope all is well, and hope you get the same publicity in Florida. Only thing, CA and its publicity need to be tapped, and out there in UT it may be a lot easier to tap it. That in my opinion, is the main reason to go to the Salt ~ tap into the CA media, which is much needed! So do both places, I say, because you need to go across the US for media, not records, as one would think! You will be ready for big media, when you do go, if you prepare well for it in Florida, as noted above.
HLS
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
August 01, 2011 10:52AM
HI Friends and team members of the LSR project
I for one am not at all disapointed in moving the venue to the space center. My first obligation is to Cyclone and we have more contracts coming in. We canot anounce some of them until the press releases are aproved. I for one was not thirlled to go to the arm pit as Jim called it. to me camping out is a Holliday Inn. It even cost $20,000.00 to do the 5,000mile round trip. The Britts worked on their car for ten years and did not go to the flats. I of course would have to go however loosing two weeks from my day job was not a good idea considering the work coming in. The NASA facilities have been opened up for this purpose and new car records have already been set there. Running a new technology there would be great. It is only three and a half hours away and we can also test there. The main thing is we can get the press and all our friends and supporters there. Running near where the Stanleys ran and fuel made from local orange peels is fun .The plan is still to go to Bonniville in October. but donot be diapointed if the record comes before this. Our intent is not just one record but to continue the climb. Go Chuk Go!
Harry
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
August 01, 2011 12:30PM
No one should be disappointed this will be a great opportunity (at the space center) and you don't have to bet the whole farm. What more could you ask for!
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
August 02, 2011 02:27PM
Chuk,

There are many of us that would like to share in your dream/vision when you do take the run...no matter where it is...NASA would be a fantastic setting for your attempt. Could you keep us updated on your thoughts and timeframe, please. With all things happening over at Cyclone and the "taking care of business" point of view, this for sure is the right way for them not to be absent from the day to day operations for the length of time it would have taken to go to Bonneville. Waiting on the schedule to buy plane tix...

JJ
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
August 02, 2011 07:52PM
Thanks Everyone-for the continued support! The NASA contact told us that the process/paperwork required to get permission to use the Space Center runway usually takes a bit of time(months!), but we're hoping that with a bit of luck-and some help from the right people-we'll be able to shorten the waiting period.

We'll let everyone know when things start to happen--so you can come on down to sunny Florida and help us have some fun!

Also keep in mind that we're going to bring the Cyclone Streamliner up to the Berrien Springs SACA Meet/Time Trials in the middle of September. You'll be able to get a close look at what your contributions have made possible!!


Chuk

TEAM STEAM USA
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
August 04, 2011 09:29AM
What's the update with the LSR car? Is the engine closer to being put in?
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
August 14, 2011 01:00PM
Are the dyno results available yet?
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
August 18, 2011 02:12PM
Hey Everyone!

Tis good to be back home after a 10 day trip out West to relax! My girlfriend Robin and I did a tour of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Parks...as well as having quite a few other great adventures on the way up to the last few days of Speed Week at Bonneville.

It was refreshingly cooler than usual on the Flats, which helped with the overall speeds. There were several new records set during the 2 days we were there...some of the Streamliners were getting up to 415-420 mph. Quite a few of the other teams had heard that we were coming, and were disappointed that we didn't make it with the Streamliner. Everyone regained a bit of enthusiasm after I told them we'd be there with the Cyclone in October for the World Finals....

As usual, I met more interesting people, and picked up a few more ideas about how to set up our pit, run the car, etc...I'm really looking forward to getting the Streamliner running, tested, and out on the Salt!



Cheers-Chuk


Re: US Land Steam Record!!
August 20, 2011 08:53AM
You must have gone right bye our home, here in La Verkin Utah.smileys with beer
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
August 20, 2011 10:59AM
HeavySteamer;

Yes, we did go by your house-we took US89 from Page, Arizona all the way up to Ephraim and then over thru by Mt. Nebo. Tis truly spectacular country!

We plan to retrace part of the trip when we take the Streamliner to the Flats in October....


Cheers-Chuk
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
August 25, 2011 04:15PM
Hi Chuk,

Sounds like things are moving along just fine. I have a question though, which may be "perhaps" taboo.

It appears the current generation Cyclone power-plant there are some auxiliaries or systems that are close too or separate from the engine.

In the event of a steam breach, is there an emergency air door that would open, (in and out) to purge the cockpit with air displacing any steam?


Best

Jeremy
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
August 25, 2011 09:05PM
Jeremy-

The cockpit is completely separate from the engine area in the Cyclone Streamliner. There is a totally sealed metal firewall between the two areas, and each area has a completely separate air supply. In addition, the drivers helmet has an independent forced air supply that draws air from outside the vehicle. Any pressure that might escape from the engine or steam generator will simply vent to the outside of the vehicle thru the many openings provided in the body for just such an occurance.

This is standard procedure with most racing vehicles, and is dictated in minute detail in the SCTA Rulebook-which anyone who plans to run a vehicle at the Bonneville Salt Flats must adhere to.

So, rest assured that we've "done it up right"-so when we get out to an area with enough room to run, we won't have to worry about anything...we'll just have fun-going FAST!


Chuk

TEAM STEAM USA
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
August 26, 2011 01:29PM
Thanks for the reply Chuk : )

Sounds as though you guys have one hell of a machine on your hands.

Looking forward to seeing you go fast...

Jeremy
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
August 28, 2011 08:30AM
Hey Everyone!!

We're getting everything ready to load up and head north for the Berrien Springs SACA Meet--I'm tweaking the old Model T Steamer, getting her ready for the Time Trials and all the fun we're going to have cruising around at the Meet.

Of course, we're bringing the Cyclone Streamliner also-so that all of you who have donated to the Land Steam Record Project can see how your dollars have been spent! If the rumours are true, it sounds like this is going to be the biggest Meet in a long time...

So--load up all your steam "stuff"-bring it with you so we can all enjoy your Project-whatever it may be!

See you there!!

Chuk

TEAM STEAM USA
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
August 28, 2011 04:48PM
Got the Cyclone plant installed in the car now, Chuk? Running on it's own power? Sorry I can't make it to the meet.

PS Disregard any implied pressure from the above. I just got off the phone with Jim T, and have a better feeling for the situation. Best of luck, and hoping everything will work out in the best possible way.

Terry W.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/29/2011 08:13AM by heavysteamer.
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
September 22, 2011 10:35PM
Hey Everyone!

The Berrien Springs Meet was a good one-as usual! We brought the Streamliner as planned, and it received quite a nice reception from the group. Tis a shame that all of our TEAM STEAM USA sponsors couldn't make it to the Meet, but there will be other chances in the future for a close up view at the next Meet-or perhaps at a show somewhere a bit more "geographically suitable"!

There were quite a few knowledgeable speakers who gave talks on their various Projects during the first part of the Meet, and when we did our turn, we brought the Streamliner inside the conference room and took the top of the body off for viewing. Harry gave a talk on the engine systems, and I gave a short talk on the general construction and safety systems of the vehicle.

Of course, the Meet wouldn't be the same without the Time Trials on Friday! This one was a real hoot, with Tom Kimmel turning in the best time with his Keen Steamliner. My old T Model steamer did well, as did all the rest of the fun vehicles that showed up to run.

Tom's shop was the focal point of the Meet for the last 2 days, with all his engines and boilers to view and play with. We ran Gar Dickerson's Doble Triple and various others on steam provided by Tom's shop boiler..twas a lot of fun!!

I'm sure there'll be more details and photos in an upcoming issue of the Bulletin, but I've attached a few good ones below.

Cheers--Chuk

TEAM STEAM USA


Re: US Land Steam Record!!
September 23, 2011 12:43PM
Truly a frightening and disreputable looking crew....
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
October 02, 2011 03:46PM
Has the streamliner made runs at the NASA track now? What results?
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
October 02, 2011 05:20PM
Heavy Steamer-

No, we haven't done any testing at the Space Center and we've also missed the World Finals at Bonneville, but Harry and his crew are working out the engine details.

I'm pretty disappointed that things haven't worked out as planned-and I'm sure that all of you on the TEAM-who have supported and stood behind us all this time are just as disappointed as I am, but it's a real relief that now we're not so pushed-we have plenty of time to get the loose ends wrapped up-get our testing done, and be really prepared for Bonneville next year.

So, I'm getting caught up on all my "stuff"....things I've neglected while spending so much time on the Streamliner, and looking forward to getting the vehicle running, so we can get out on the track and have some FUN!



Chuk

TEAM STEAM USA
Re: US Land Steam Record!!
October 02, 2011 10:05PM
Hey Chuk,

Sorry to hear that. So it sounds like you are nixing the run at the Space Center and just shooting for the salt next year?

Caleb Ramsby
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