The day dawned with much expectation amongst the members of the Thrust SSC camp. Time was running out for Duncan Garrett and I - we were due to leave for England at the end of the week, and although we understood that setting a new record was not yet the primary objective of the project, we were desperately hoping to see a new LSR posted before our reluctant departure. It was clear from the pair of 618 and 687 mph runs on Monday that the car could do it, but could the team achieve a successful turn around within the allotted 60 minutes?
Now the stakes had been raised with a Mach 0.9 run profile on the cards. All being well, SSC should reach some amazing new speeds! Rotation of security duty found me posted with fellow Mach 1 Club member Rob Coy at Access 1, about 3 miles south west of the Mile 0 SSC start position. Access 1 is notorious as the worst possible vantage point for watching the runs, but events on this occasion were to make this a more interesting duty than usual...
We arrived in position at the head of the access road at 9 am, long before the other access points were deployed. Although SSC was not scheduled to roll out until 11 am, we restricted access at this point to SSC and SOA team members only, and set our stall out for a long day. Press, including new arrivals NBC, were directed to Access 2 where 'Press Mobile' Steve Georgii collects them together and escorts them to the Press Pen half an hour before the first run. Public onlookers also pulled up to chat with us before assuming their viewing positions further up the desert by the county road.
Following some last minute fodding activity, Desert Witch called 10 minutes to engine start - the desert was now completely closed. Then, 5 minutes to run... 2 minutes to run... Rob and I felt devoid of sensory input - no other human within 2 miles, no sound but the wind, we could not even see the car crouched on the track. Consequently the tension mounted as we avidly listened for Jayne's next radio announcement. Finally, "SSC is rolling". We watched intently through our binoculars as the tiny pinprick that was the SSC thundered away from us on its first run, trailing the usual huge plume of dust. We were dismayed to find that we could not even hear any engine roar as we were too far away. A couple of minutes later, Jayne relayed the speed from the USAC timekeepers - 693 mph. Only slightly faster than Monday, but we knew that the temperature would continue to rise before the next run, and SSC would be running with the wind this time, so this could be the first 700+ mph run. We followed the tradition at Access 1 and spelled out the speed with rocks at the side of the road.
Unfortunately it was only a few minutes before Jayne informed us that there was a problem with the car - a return within 60 minutes was "unlikely". However, we comforted ourselves with the thought that a second run was still on the cards, and a third track was ready so that another turnaround might be possible after the second run. The hour slowly passed, but with rectification work completed, SSC was almost ready for its return run. Jayne started to radio around the security teams to enquire about lunch requirements. Just as I was relaying our requirements, Steve Georgii interrupted my transmission - "there's a bandit on the tracks". A truck had been spotted weaving down the tracks at high speed towards Access 1. Jayne mobilised Blackadder in pursuit and advised us not to block the exit as this may be dangerous (to which we gratefully complied) but to attempt to take note of the license plate if the bandit refused to stop. At last - some excitement at Access 1! Blackadder and the BLM Ranger halted his progress after a "wild ride" before he reached us, but it is still a mystery how he got onto the desert.
Rob and I settled down with our binoculars to watch the second run. As the SSC streaked towards us, we both noticed that something didn't look right. The black blob at the head of the rooster tail got bigger and bigger. I just had to break the silence: "He's still coming - he's past the SOA pits." Rob replied "I can't see a parachute." Jayne soon confirmed "All call signs, SSC is overrunning: Access 1 standby." Er, OK, standby to do what? Run out and flag it down? SSC finally stopped directly between us and the SOA pits in the distance - 1.4 miles off the end of the track. The BLM Ranger arrived at our location shortly afterwards. He was heading out to measure the overrun, which obviously concerned him, but admitted "Well, he's still got three miles to go before he hits Gerlach!"
So once again no official record, but the runaway 719 mph ride with no 'chutes was more than enough excitement for one day. Time to get out of the hot sun for a nice relaxing bathe in the Trego Hot Springs... ahhhhhhhhhhh, that's better!
More tracks were in urgent need of preparation - I resumed my role on Jack Franck's lining team and we knocked out another 4 tracks, giving 5 tracks available. Jack is so proud of the contribution that the Mach 1 Club is making to the essential task of track lining - after all, without tracks the car doesn't run. We were all particularly pleased to set a new record of our own - 57 minutes to paint one complete 13 mile line. We were honoured (?!) with a visit by Jeremy Davey with digital camera in hand, however most of the shots appeared to be used up on Sunny - Jack and Linda's lovely "supersonic" black dog!
Dashing backwards and forwards, we passed an unprecedented four teams of doggedly determined fodders in action, totalling over 20 people. After toiling through the afternoon heat, plenty of tracks were made ready for Thursday's run day... Jack got the beers in at the Black Rock Saloon.
Computer/abort/parachute problems solved, 5 tracks available - surely this must be the day? I awoke at 0715 - to the sound of rain clattering down on the RV roof. Oh no, the weather just can't ruin everything now! I escorted Sky TV and two other satellite trucks up to the Press Pen. Clouds to the west and east of the tracks looked dark and threatening, and soon after arrival rain poured down steadily but not too heavily. Jayne called a two hour hold on operations and we all sat tight in our vehicles, praying for blue sky. Firechase paraded up and down the desert checking on the track conditions. After the holding period ended at 12 pm, the rain had stopped and things were starting to brighten up. Hawkeye finally gave the go ahead to run, to our great relief.
Well, the rest, as they say, is history. The announcement of the new record brought a flurry of hugs, cheers and handshakes and, for a few, some tears - SSC had finally made its mark. Despite being a subsonic record, a stepping stone to greater things, it is still hugely historic and I was thrilled to witness it - I could now go home happy. And at last I could put that Champagne in the fridge to good use...
Inevitably, the Blues set in - thanks to the hangover, the grim RV cleanup operation and the numerous goodbyes to friends old and new. The final reluctant departure from the Miners Club was a moving experience - time to be parted from this brilliant, world-beating team and our wonderful American hosts. I send my best wishes to you all - have a fantastic time out there, I know I did!
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