The Dream
- Ship the car to the west coast of America, fly out, collect the car from the port.
- Drive through California up to Las Vegas.
- Carry on via the Grand Canyon into Utah, and then compete during the Speed Week event.
- After the event continue to drive down through Texas and the southern states to Florida.
- Proceed up the East coast to New York to ship the car home.
- Taking every opportunity along the way, to take in as many sights and to meet as many people as possible.
The Reality of the first trip
After a very rushed build the car was shipped to Houston mid July. Ian flew out and picked the car up on 2nd August then drove the 1800 miles to Wendover Utah. The team flew out over the next few days and we all had a fantastically exciting week working and racing the car.
After Speed week the car spent a few days travelling to Las Vegas. We all had a well earned rest, spending time relaxing and taking in the sights and sounds.
We then took another three days taking the car back to the Houston where it was left in the care of the shippers.
Six weeks later the car arrived back in the UK safe and sound all be it a little rusty.
But Why?
We are firmly of the belief that all cars, regardless of age and design specification are designed to be driven first. Whilst a beautiful car in pristine, clean condition is a work of art in itself, seeing a car at speed, in its natural environment, as it were, is far closer to the design concept.
With the above in mind we are also taking the opportunity to promote engineering to young people by hopefully creating an unusual and interesting project. The concept of pushing a car to 155% of its design top speed always throws up some interesting engineering opportunities.
Finally as a team we all are of a mind that life is not a spectator sport and that if an opportunity presents itself it should be grasped with both hands. Furthermore as in this case the opportunity has been created following the untimely losses of a few dear friends in recent years.