Completely crazy. Richard went all the way on this one. God speed.
Uh...if that car does anywhere near 300mph... That would be amazing. Above 260 would blow me away. I know it's not a true "production" car, in that it's been modified and has been set up for the salt, but to see an essentially seven year old car outrun the Bug, the Koenigsegg, and the SSC Aero would be sweet. I can't wait for VIDEO and SOUND. EDIT: Any updates on transmission specs by those in the know would be appreciated. I can't remember if a factory Enzo will pull redline in top gear or not... It just seems that if they're planning on exceeding 225 (indicated by the nose modification), then they would have made allowance for ratios and such as well... Thanks.
est. production numbers for the Enzo are around 500. 400 is the layman knowledge. This is one amazing project. There needs to be a documentary. !!!! _J
Not the most exciting video, but here you can see it roll away for one of its runs on the short course: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sB5PBJ-7CM Wagon wheel sized tires don't make for blistering acceleration runs when you're pushing 1,000hp. >8^) ER
Last update I got said everything is going well. The drivers have to qualify in increments and cannot go for an all out record until they qualify for certain speeds first. I think the car is still working on qualifications.
I went out to the salt this morning and saw Richard do a licensing run at 179. I didn't get to talk with him or the crew, but I think things were going well. Someones 'chute did not open. I am not sure if this was the MM Enzo car or another car that ran right before. Hopefully they will get to run in the upcoming events and do some real runs now that they have the licensing runs done. I am sure someone with better intel will be along to give us the full story. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Great pic! I'm unable to make it out due to a wedding I would love if someone could post the results!
The event is over for now. Land Speed Racing takes an amazing amount of time. It seems pretty simple to go in a strait line and go fast but everything is very incremental. You can't just go to one of these events and line up and put the hammer down. (Unless you are a presenter on a huge British based car show) A lot of the guys on the salt have been doing this longer than I have been alive, and I ain't no spring chicken. Over the years they have seen friends die out there and they are rightfully a bit protective of how everything needs to work. You have to qualify for licenses to run at specific speeds. Getting the license requires that you make passes at increasing speeds. This takes time because you have to line up with all the other folks who are trying to do what you are doing. The track has to be cleared between runs if there are any problems etc... Most people do a lot of tuning and checking between runs. I understand that this was the maiden shakedown on the salt for the Enzo so they probably took their time to make sure everything was just right. I think we will have to wait for the next speed event to get any real attempts at record runs.
Available in hires via this link: http://speedhunters.com/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.PostAttachments/00.00.12.78.54/Bonneville-Enzo-WIDE.jpg They don't seem to be offering the rolling shot as a wallpaper. Here's another pair of hi-res pics from HotRod.com: http://image.hotrod.com/f/hot-rod-news/ferarri-enzo-at-bonneville-salt-flats/28796960/an-enzo-on-the-salt-if-you-can-afford-it-why-not.jpg http://image.hotrod.com/f/hot-rod-news/ferarri-enzo-at-bonneville-salt-flats/28796942/is-a-ferrari-a-hot-rod-maybe-if-its-sporting-twin-turbos-a-roll-cag.jpg >8^) ER Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Another pair of photos - the second one in hi-res via this link. Look closely and you can see what appear to be some left over wrinkles in the VIN plate at the bottom edge of the driver's door opening. >8^) ER Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Very observant. Scars that tell a story from a previous life. Very cool. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Interesting on the nose. I wonder if Richard knows something about the OEM nose. Maybe prone to lifting? Isn't that what happened to him?
Yes. Although, IIRC, he was driving a section of road that had gradual crests and mistakenly thought that he had cleared that section when he put the hammer down. The car is stable up to its maximum, just not when the road drops away from you... Edit: Excuse me--I did some research. Old quotes from a mutual friend of Richard's said that an unreported "washboard effect" on the road he was driving caused the car to catch air under the nose. Maybe splitting hairs, but just getting the story straight.
Someone in a previous thread mentioned that the new nose is designed for over 225mph.. when the stock nose is then causing lift. I think you're safe under that number.
Well said... almost anyone can do tripple digits on the road, doing it on salt is a different game! Of course now that he is licensed to exceed 200mph this story is just beginning!
On behalf of Richard Losee, and the numerous members of the build team involved with the MM Enzo project, I would like to thank all those who have offered their kind support and well wished on the return of this truly remarkable automobile. Our involvement at this year’s Southern California Timing Association activities at the Bonneville Salt Flats during Speed Week, is just the beginning! As has been explained in previous posts, you just don’t show up and drive a car at an SCTA event. Numerous modifications were required to the Enzo, to conform to safety requirements established by the Association. With all our preparation, we still had two issues that needed to be corrected before we successfully passed the tech inspection. Having arrived Wednesday morning, it required one whole day to make those corrections. In fact, one of the team returned to Salt Lake City to modify the racing seat, making it back to Wendover at 3:30 AM. He was on the Salt at 6:30 to install it. That reflects just how dedicated we were in getting Richard and the car down the track safely. After we passed tech, a bailout procedure was required to demonstrate to the SCTA officials, that Richard could safely get out of the car in the event of a fire. In full suit, helmet, and Hans device, belted in with window net, he had to simulate what he would do in the event of a fire. Shut down fuel pumps and ignition, push fire bottles, pull chutes, remove harness, drop door net, open door, trip hinged roll bar, and climb out. Richard was able to do the whole procedure in about 18 seconds. I was very impressed by the professional manner the official administered this procedure. It was very well done. To license at Bonneville, a driver and his crew, must attend a rookie orientation, where safety issues and the track protocol are discussed. Once we had met all those requirements, we were good to go. New drivers must use the “Short Course”. This is a three mile course and limited to cars under 175 mph. The driver must make a pass between 125 and 149 mph, to demonstrate they can control the car, but also get a feel for driving on the Salt. Those with experience at Bonneville, compare it to driving on ice, so learning to control the car is essential and comes with hands on application. Thursday’s first run timed at 145.813, which earned Richard a “C” license. We pulled data from the MoTeC ADL3, re-packed his chute, and returned to the line. To obtain a “B” license a speed on 150 to 174 must be observed. Richard’s second pass timed at 166.815, qualifying for the license. To obtain an “A” license it requires that the driver pass the 2-1/4 mile mark on the track between 175 and 200. These runs are done on the “Long Course” which is 7 miles. Richard made this pass Friday morning at a speed of 175.781 at the 2-1/4 mark. Again, qualifying for his “A” license. Because the build is so new, and with the addition of the turbos, our objective this trip was three-fold. The first, a shakedown effort to see how all the systems functioned together. Second, to give Richard some time behind the wheel, to get a feel for the car. Third, to attempt some licensing runs. To address the first objective, shakedown; We use the original Bosch ECU’s to run the throttle bodies and control the F-1 transmission and shifting, but rely on the MoTeC to control the fuel pumps and timing, as well as numerous other features such as GPS for true ground speed, potentiometers at each spring to monitor down force or lift at the suspension, the ADL3 dash system, etc. Fooling the Bosch system into not shutting all the systems down was the challenge. Fortunately we found Shane Tecklenburg to do the design and tuning, and Greg Pyles, to provide the complicated wiring harnesses. Both have many years experience with MoTeC systems, and were able to mate the two systems to function together. The systems functioned flawlessly, as Richard was able to shift through all six gears and the data reports after each run provided essential information for future adjustments. An additional aspect of the shake down effort were the ground effects. Counter to the Enzo’s design as a high performance street car, a vehicle running on the Salt Flats, in a straight line at high speed, should have as little air flowing under the car as possible. The addition of the front bumper modification has provisions for an air dam to prevent air from traveling under the car. Before adding the rubber dam, we need data provided by the potentiometers on the springs, to determine the amount of spring movement, the runs completed at this event provided that needed data. Because of our shake down efforts, we discovered mechanical and design issues that could only be ascertained with the car in motion. Truly invaluable information. Shake downs also provide the team a chance to work together in preparing the car, the driver and performing the proper recovery after a run. The second objective; I can safely say that at 31,000+ miles, Richard has more time behind the wheel of an Enzo Ferrari than any person on the planet!! That said, it has been four years since the accident, and the memory of events of that day have had their toll. It was important for Richard to sit in the car, by himself, to mentally prepare for driving the car at high speeds again. I was impressed by his ability to focus, and move on. It was emphasized time and time again, by the team, the SCTA officials and by the starter, to just drive to your comfort level. He was told that he could pull out of a run at any time if uncomfortable, moving on….. Objective three, license; As detailed above, Richard accomplished that objective in short order. To bring a fresh car with a rookie driver and have him license in a day-and-a-half with three runs, is monumental. I am aware of people that have tried for years to move up that ladder, and have yet to accomplish that goal. It reflects upon the skills and abilities of the driver, as well as the preparation of the car. We have many more objectives we wish to accomplish with the Enzo; this week’s activities are but a first step towards that goal. Again, honoring Richards request to not discuss those objectives, I cannot provide them at this time. But to better understand his philosophy; I will paraphrase what he has said to me numerous times…”I would much prefer to actually do something than talk about it”. A special thank you to Jim Glickenhaus, the P4/5 panels was truly a savior on this project. I will add that the hood panels as well as the rear deck are the original MM Enzo panels and were repaired to use for race trim. We just could not put hood pins in that beautiful hood!! Also a thank you to all the officials and volunteers with the SCTA, and BNI. Great job on the Salt Flats everyone!! The photos attached are sunrise on the Salt Flats, Wednesday morning, the official debut of the MM Enzo. Just Randy Felise from Steve Harris Imports, Paul the "Crazy Armenian" and myself were in attendance, just the way it we wanted it. Regards, Kevin Marsh Enzo Project Manager Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login