Eagle's Lair
Members Roster

June 7, 2006

Ladies and Gentlemen

After three days most of the team has learned to get an early start and beat the heat.  Today we had some special guests visit the test session:  “Landspeed” Louise Ann Noeth and former land speed record holder Paula Murphy. 

Landspeed Louise is an author, graphic artist, photographer, publicist and former racer. A few years ago she wrote the quintessential book on land speed racing by the same name. She is a regular contributor to numerous automotive magazines.  She came by to do a photo shoot for an upcoming article she is writing.

Paula Murphy “Miss STP” has had an extraordinary racing career. Danica Patrick can thank Paula for paving the way as the first woman ever to drive a car at the Indianapolis 500 in 1963. She was the world's fastest woman driver in 1964 when she drove Walt Arfons' jet car to a speed of 243.44 mph. During her career she drove a number of fuel funny cars and eventually was inducted to the Don Garlits Drag Racing Hall of Fame.

Also on hand today was Chris Lofft, the producer for Base Productions, who continued to shoot interviews, and get some video of the car in action.

After about 2 hours of pre-run checklists the car was towed out for El Mirage Test Run # 2. Ed pushed on the throttle and started heading down the track.  At about 90% engine power there was a loss of steering authority to the right, then the car began a slow drift to the left. Ed terminated the run at approximately 100 mph and began applying the magnetic and front steering brakes stopping about the one mile marker.

It was back to the paddock area and the team put the car in the air to find out what went wrong. The steering was bled and a jack was placed under the wheel to simulate a load while the front wheel was rotated from side to side. With all indications that everything was working fine, the car was towed out and tied down. Using the 5/8 inch by 275 foot cable supplied by DANTRAWL of Seattle, we secured the car to one end to the NorWest Trucking / LevX Tractor. With everyone in position, Ed brought the car up to about 80 % engine RPM with Bill and Bernard checking operations and the steering was cycled from side to side.

With suspicious rain clouds starting to form in the distance, the team moved the car out onto the lake bed. With reports of rain coming down on certain areas of the course, El Mirage Test Run # 3 started out normal. Soon the car made a left hand turn and Ed tried to make adjustments to compensate, but was not successful.  So, he terminated the testing before an unsafe condition occurred. About the time he stopped, the area was being hit by a monsoon. Thunder and lighting was everywhere and the ensuing downpour was causing the dry lake bed to become El Mirage Lake, but only by a quarter inch or so. Post analysis of the steeering problem showed a bypass valve was the culprit and unfortunately we had no replacement with us. At the same time, a  BLM Ranger stopped by and officially closed the lakebed to further testing.

The rain was coming down so hard at that point that we were within minutes of getting the car stuck in the mud.  We then towed it back to the paddock, and the entire team started to secure the area. The wind and rain was blowing so hard that team members had to hold onto the each leg of the awning or it would have become airborne. After an hour the rains stopped and we took time out to take a memorable team photo, complete with Ed lying down in the mud!  Somehow Landspeed Louise talked the group into performing the El Mirage version of the Rockettes Stage Show.

Again the team would like to thank the Sidewinders Hot Rod Club who came out to help marshal the course. Without their help it would have added hours to each run. The following Sidewinders Club Members came out during the two days and we would like to thank them here. 

Stewart Harnick        Ken Walkey       Jamie Kennedy        William Freudiger 

Shane Freudiger       Philip Freudiger  Shawn Buchete        David Thomas

Mark Brazeau          Dean Spencer     Clifton Wheeler        Ed Safarick

Bill Guzenski           Rick Boyle          Ron Main                Ed Horton

Jim Eiden                Ian Mann            Dale Schultz            GK Mann

Don Tubbs               Jack Banul         Mike Waters            Ralph Ramos

Gary Thomas           Ron McCorkle     Dean Livermore        Paul Green

Geff Sandin

Special Thanks

We would like to thank the B&I Marketplace in Tacoma, WA, that helped make this trip possible. If you're in the Seattle / Tacoma area on the week of June 24th, come by and see the Eagle which will be on display at the B & I Marketplace.

We would also like to thank Norwest Trucking who helped us get to California and back. Especially when we got back into our own state of Washington.

North American Eagle™ fuel was supplied by Seattle BioDiesel  which we mixed with Kerosene provided by Small & Sons Oil Distributing in Auburn, WA.

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

[Privacy Policy]