Tom Bailey Joins the 200 MPH Club and Sets Class Record at Bonneville Speedweek – Dave Schroeder Looks to Join Him, Attempting Record Runs Today!
Tom Bailey and David Schroeder have been over 200 miles per hour multiple times in drag and drive competition. Yesterday, Tom joined the 200 MPH club during a record run in Keith and Tonya Turk’s 1980 Chevrolet Camaro at Bonneville Speedweek.
After making his license runs, and an engine swap, David Schroeder of Schroeder-Ens Racing will make his first record attempt in the Turk’s Camaro today.
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A unique place in Utah, the 12-mile-long stretch of the Bonneville Salt Flats allows vehicles, including production-based cars, trucks and motorcycles, as well as purpose-built race cars, the opportunity to see what speeds their combinations can achieve.
Speed contests have taken place on the Salt Flats for more than 100 years, while Speedweek got its start in 1948. The Turk’s Camaro, which has set records at seven different locations by six different drivers, came into this year’s Speedweek looking to add two more drivers to the mix.
To provide motivation for the Camaro, the Schroeder-Ens Racing team had two engines built, one checking in at 417 cubic inches, and the second at 347 cubic inches. This would allow both drivers the opportunity to qualify, as well as possibly set records, in two different classes.
Built with similar off-the-shelf parts with budget and strength in mind, the engines are based on a World Products block, with a Scat crankshaft, Isky Racing Cams camshaft and valve springs, and AFR cylinder heads and intake. Providing extra atmosphere is a Vortech supercharger, through a carburetor.
Bailey’s 417 cubic inch engine classified it in the B/CBGC (Classic Blown Gas Coupe) designation. Once Bailey accomplished his three license runs (first license is 125-149 mph, second license for 150-175 mph, and the third license pass for 175-200 mph), he could make an attempt to beat the existing record of 226.243 mph in the B/CBGC class.
Bailey’s first record attempt run on Sunday, August 3rd, resulted in a Mile 4 speed of 235.368 mph. Once a vehicle has exceeded the current record, it enters impound where the driver and crew have four hours to work on the car before it is secured for the remainder of the day.
To be able to set a record at Bonneville requires two runs, and the second run, sometimes known as the ‘record return run’, is afforded to competitors the next morning. “The average of two runs has to be greater than the record to qualify (to set a new record),” said Keith Turk.
Monday morning, Bailey lined up for the chance to not only back up the record attempt, but also enter the prestigious Bonneville 200 mph club. At Mile 4 on his Monday run, Bailey hit a speed of 232.442 mph, which combined with his first run and averaged out, results in 233.905 mph. That got Bailey the double of a class record, as well as entry into the Bonneville 200 mph club.
With part one complete, the second part of the Speedweek plan was for Schroeder to make his license runs, then attempt a record in the C/CBGC (Classic Blown Gas Coupe) designation. Schroeder completed his three license runs, and the 417 cubic inch engine was plucked from the Camaro to make room for the 347 cubic inch version.
Schroeder will make his first attempt on the record book this morning, trying to eclipse the current C/CBGC record of 219.739 mph.
To watch the first three parts of ‘Sick On The Salt’ - check out our videos below:
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine, Jason Sack, Keith Turk and Andy Mcconnell.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com