HDT Land Speed Record is Now Official

The word is out and a number of new names have been etched into the record books. This is not the first set of records for Hayes Diversified Technologies, but it is always gratifying to capture a few more slots on the pages of history.

Byron Schmidt of Hesperia, CA, set a new record for the 750 MPS D class of 103.321 miles per hour, breaking the old 101.617. HDT CEO and founder established a new record of 110.432 for the 750 MPS DB class, shattering the old record by more than five miles per hour.

Perhaps even more significantly, these motorcycles were operating with a mixed fuel that was 20% biodiesel. Considering that the day the rolled off their assembly line, before modifications, these were 30 horsepower engines, you might begin to get a little impressed at the engineering behind this achievement. AMSOIL lubricated, of course.

Taking Another Crack at Bonneville

There are actually several Bonneville Speed Weeks, and this week has been one of them as more than 150 race teams, 50 officials, 35 members of the media and a few hundred spectators converged on the Flats. For the first few days the weather has been perfect. Sunny skies, temps in the seventies, minimal wind and hard salt – a week specifically designed for land speed records.

For a second time this year Boyd Coddington brought his rig and crew to Bonneville to take another shot at the record books in their 1927 Model T Ford with AMSOIL the primary sponsor. There was no filming for cable TV. This week the single aim is a land speed record.

Yesterday Jo Coddington qualified for her high speed license to go over 200. At the time of this report, after having achieved a 184 in qualifying, the team was in good position car to attempt its record breaking runs. The record is 199. Weather permitting, we’ll report the final results on Monday.

The Latest from Bonneville

Evidently the weather gods have not been smiling the past two days out on the Flats. Intermittent rain and high winds have forced the course to be closed more often than open. Here is a brief rundown on the the Hayes Team.

Class
MPS-D 750 (modified partial streamlining - diesel powered - 750 cc maximum displacement)
Obtained adequate speed for class record but course delays did not permit required second run. Have to start from scratch but the potential is there.

MPS-DB 750 (modified partial streamlining - diesel powered - 750 cc maximum displacement turbo charged)
Obtained adequate speed for class AMA National 1 mile record and FIM 1 Kilometer International record significant to yesterday.

P-D 750 (production - diesel powered - 750 cc maximum displacement)
Obtained adequate speed for AMA National and FIM International class records but it was felt that the speed did not reflect the potential of the bike. If time allows, the bike will be rerun.

M-D 750 (modified - diesel powered - 750 cc maximum displacement)
Still to be run.

M-DB 750 (modified - diesel powered - 750 cc maximum displacement turbo charged)
Still to be run.

Here are a few additional photos...

Thursday’s Salt Not So Sweet

Like boats and race horses, cars on the Bonneville Salt Flats also have exotic names, many related to a common theme here in Utah. Salt Shaker, Salt Lick, Salt Sabre, Salty Dog, Salt Dancer II, and Saline Solution are are just a few of the salty hopefuls gathered here.

At day’s end Thursday the AMSOIL/Coddington car did not as yet set a record. But they did have some excitement. In the late afternoon Jo Coddington, while accelerating, spun out at 180 MPH, headed backwards through the 3rd mile marker and off the course probably about a half a mile. Both Jo and the car appeared fine afterward, the car suffering only minor tire damage.

When the team went out to see her and bring the car back, the motor home got stuck in the soft salt sand. A flat bed was called and in about 30 minutes it also got stuck. Then a monster semi tow-type rig arrived after another hour and that got stuck as well. At the end of the day all three remained stuck out in the middle of the salt flats. As the day ended the car was being readied back at the pits to run again Friday.

The latest report Friday morning: five tow rigs stuck. Bummer.