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Dick smith record broken 4/11/2015
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SOCAL SAAC San Diego had a good day at the track yesterday as follows:
The 198.047 MPH Shelby Cobra speed record set by racing legend Dick Smith in his Cobra serial #CSX 3035 in 1967 at Daytona International Speedway was supplanted yesterday by Virgil Benton clocking 199.0 MPH in his Cobra serial #CSX 4224 at the Mojave Magnum speed event hosted by MKM Racing in Mojave, CA at the Mojave Air and Space Port. Attachment 25470 Attachment 25471 Attachment 25472 Attachment 25473 |
Because the car isn't an original, is the record truly broken?
Larry |
What I find truly remarkable is that the static cling decals (and the driver's head) didn't fly off at 199mph!
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Congrats Virgil, that is quite an accomplishment. How much power are you putting down and what does your car feel like at that speed?
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First, congratulations on the run! Very impressive. Second, my point to the question is that the current Cobra has an air dam and probably modern engine/components. Possibly modern transmission, so and so forth. Not trying to take anything away from the run, just asking the question. Larry |
No problems, all good / fair questions.
Air damn & trans ( Richmond 4+1 Road Race Trans) only parts that aren't original. 427 CSX Aluminum Block /CSX Heads / Naturally aspirated Holley 950. 650 at the Crank / Dana 44 with 273's. NO POWER ADDERS! |
Incredible achievement! It's pretty easy to guess what you'll be aiming for next time!
So... Please tell us, what did it feel like throughout the run. Did the aero change? How was the steering? Wind buffeting? Have you tried it with a full screen (lexan hopefully!). Details, details, details! :) |
Sure, honestly feels pretty good, that car gets a little light but tracks straight wind is not
that noticeable ( to me) because I'm focused on 3 things only: (1) Center Line of the runway (2) Tachometer / Shifting (3) Flashing red lights that tells me to get off it Need 6700 RPM for 201 got to 6600 and change. I'm certain it would have made it if we had more time that day. Here's how the day played out: Run 1- 195MPH Run 2- 27MPH Broke and coasted in. Find and correct problem -- electrical short. Run 3 - 199 MPH About 5 minutes after getting into the grid the announcer said that would be the last grid of the day- so just got in under the wire to get a third run; -that was close, what a day! |
Very impressive achievement but I don't believe you can really say one overshadows the other. Wasn't Dick Smith's speed recorded on a Nascar track and this one on a straight track standing 1 1/2 mile?
Either way, congrats on an outstanding achievement. Wondering how comfortable (or not) the ride was at the top end. Bob |
So many things to like about this feat. Personally my two favorites are a FE style engine and N/A!
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Congrats !!! That took a giant pair of brass ones !!!
Bet you could'ave hit 201 without the MIRRORS !!! At 200 mph =/- you don't need no stinkin' rear view mirrors !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! " Whatsa behinda isa not important " (Raul Julia, "Cannonball") |
It's a testament to static cling rondels!
Larry |
Seeing how hard someone works to go this fast makes Dick Smith's record seem even that much more unbelievable. Amazing accomplishment Virgil. Congrats!!!
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Yes, I completely agree.
And, what's so impressive to me is (almost) all you see out there are these super high end cars such as, Saleens with twin turbos / Ford GT's with superchargers / about 100 ZR1 Corvettes , and then there's a 1965 Shelby Cobra out performing many of these cars with their advantages of modern automotive technology; chalk up one for old school and Shelby / Ford! Thank you all for your very kind words and support! |
congratulations
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Just saw CSX3035 (Dick's "198")on Saturday at our local car show...Wade Ogle, the new owner, brought it down from the Bay area...she's all cleaned up. Wade's a great keeper of that flame by the way. Several of us old farts gave him some old war stories about Dick and the car...
Then I saw this last night and the first thing I could think of was that Dick would be the first to congratulate everyone involved. Well done. |
[QUOTE
Then I saw this last night and the first thing I could think of was that Dick would be the first to congratulate everyone involved. Well done.[/quote] Having met Dick a number of times, and raced against him once and spoke with him about race cars each time,I certainly agree..... If he was still with us, he'd be the first to shake Virgil's and and say congrats on a job well done.... Dick was that kinda guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! David |
Huh. One single hoop roll bar and all. Hmmm.
Congrats on that achievement. |
Thanks again to everyone for all your compliments!
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