From Scott Daloisio
Concord, CA — (August 13, 2013) — Fiery Concord, California racing star Damion Gardner stands on the verge of history as he attempts to establish a sprint car land speed record on the famous Bonneville Salt Flats. Gardner’s final run on Tuesday saw him cruise by the clocks at more than 185 MPH and the magical 200 MPH pass could take place as early as Wednesday.
After earning his class “D” license with a speed of 137.318 on Monday, Gardner and the “Green Demon” crew were primed and ready for another shot at the class “C” license with a pass of below 170 MPH on Tuesday. Their original attempt at that speed on Monday was curtailed by an oil leak.
Gardner’s target speed was 165 MPH and like Monday, he was going to have to do it off the tachometer. However, the early morning optimism was short lived as the engine would not fire when pushed off for the first pass of the day. The team took the car back in line and as it inched forward towards another pass, the Gardner, Steve “Biggie” Watt crew poured over the “Green Demon” trying to resolve the problem. Further complicating matters was the sizzling temperature that had reached 100 degrees.
The team was able to locate the problem that was in the electrical system. They managed to get it fixed before it was Gardner’s turn to take on the hallowed salt course again. However, there was still a bit of apprehension as rules prohibit bumping off and testing, so when he got ready to go, the slender racer had no idea whether the “Green Demon” would actually fire or not.
Nervousness was quickly eased when the car roared to life and swiftly accelerated down the course with a speed of 163.701 MPH at mile three! The “Demon” was the now the proud holder of a class “C” license.
When Loudpedal Productions Mike Truex queried Gardner on what was up next, the black haired driver did not miss a beat. “Let’s go faster,” he said with his familiar grin. He grabbed his timing slip and certification from the timing stand and there was only one thing on his mind. Get back in line and do it again!
The final run of the day was at 5:20 PM and it was for his class “B” license. The required speed was to stay under the cherished 200 MPH barrier. Gardner confidently targeted a speed of 185 MPH and him and the “Green Demon” performed flawlessly with a speed of 185.195.
The photo above shows Damon Gardner receiving congratulations from Southern California Timing Association and Bonneville Salt Flats legend Ron Main after he drove the “Green Demon” to a speed of 185.195 on Tuesday. Media, please feel free to publish the photo and please give photo credit to “Surfnsprint.”
Gardner has impressed the Bonneville officials and his class “B” license allows him to move to one of the longer courses so he can attempt to run at speeds over 200 MPH, but less than 250. Once he gets over the 200 MPH barrier, he will earn his class “A” license.
Gardner and Watt are very pleased with the progress so far, but they recognize that the real task is still yet to come as they strive to exceed 200 MPH.
After dinner tonight and an interview with a Philadelphia area newspaper and The Dirt Track Channel website, the crew is set to hit the hay and be well rested for what can be a very significant day in sprint car history on Wednesday.
It is going to be another warm one at the Salt Flats with sunny skies all day on Wednesday. The thermometer is slated to read 77 at 9:00 AM, 90 at noon and 91 at 3:00 PM. Winds are predicted to be 5 MPH from the South at 9:00, 6 MPH out of the NNW at noon and 7 MPH out North at 3:00 PM. Humidity will hover between 8 and 11% in the afternoon.
Watch this space tomorrow for a report on Damion Gardner and the “Green Demon’s” exploits on the Utah salt. You can also check out what it going on in Utah on Instagram and Facebook. On Instagram (http://instagram.com/) simply type in name “surfnsprint” to view photos of the epic endeavor. On Facebook, you can check out the Damion Gardner Fan Page, Steve Watt or Loudpedal Productions for their take on what is happening with the ground breaking effort.
Fans can listen live to the high speed action on the Salt Flats at the following link: http://www.scta-bni.org/
Don’t forget the great new website, http://worldsfastestsprintcar.
Gardner’s endeavor will be documented in a made for TV documentary titled “The World’s Fastest Sprint Car.”