Eagle's Lair
Members Roster

August 26, 2006

Ladies & Gentlemen:

The sun rose in the clear skies over the Puget Sound Region today and some of the crew were at the Marymount Academy grounds to complete the task of setting up the car for display and the two scheduled engine runs.

Ed Shadle, Elaine Shadle, Keith Zanghi and Jolene, Jon Higley, Cameron, Rachel & Alex Shadle, Bill Eckberg, Tim Finley, Steve & Libby Wallace, Von Armstrong, Earl Gratzer, Ed & Barbara Drumheller II, Rich & Tom Pengelley, and Meeko were present to talk with the crowds and help with the engine runs.

At 11 A.M., with the NAE™ connected to a steel cable provided by DANTRAWL Inc and to a bulldozer on the other end, the team conducted its first engine start. It was brought up to speed easily and while running, Bill Eckberg, the team's crew chief, used an exhaust gas analyzer to "sniff" the tail of the Eagle as a baseline. The crowd was standing around holding their fingers to their ears when driver Ed Shadle moved the throttle up to near 90% and the engine could be heard making that classic F-104 "howl". The rear tires were just beginning to climb up the front chalks when Ed eased back off the throttle.

Later in the day at 2 P.M., a second engine run was performed for the crowds. This time, the team had mixed into the fuel tank a 10% mixture of Bio-Diesel from our sponsor Seattle BioDiesel. Eckberg took another "sniff" sample for comparison and Ed pushed the throttle up to 90% to generate that classic F-104 "howl". This time the steel cable connected to a bulldozer on the other end went slightly taut. Upon shut down of the engine, the crowd's response of clapping could be heard and expressions of amazement could be seen on their faces at the power this "beast" produces.

The crowds continued strolling by and questions were constantly asked regarding how we were going to accomplish various aspects of the record attempt, but the most common one was of when we were going to go for the record attempt. For readers here, please go to the Big Questions page on this site for that answer.

Jessica & Kayla had their picture taken in front of the NAE™.

Team North American Eagle™ wishes to thank the management of the annual LeMay Car Show for inviting us to appear this year, conduct the two engine runs, and meet so many interesting people.

We invite you to add a comment, or remark, about our program or the site.

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