A NEW Australian speed record has returned to the sleepy town of Penola, after Dry Lake racer David Bullock took his Lakester vehicle to well over 350kph last week.
The custom made speed machine recorded an average of 389kph at the Dry Lake Racers Australia Speedweek event run at Lake Gairdner, north of Port Augusta, or 242 miles-per-hour, as the rules are based on those of the sport in the USA.
Several configurations are catered for, with Bullock – running as part of the Wombat Racing team – competing in the Lakester class.
The 29th running of the event saw around 260 competitors converge on the salt lake, with Bullock having his first run at the venue since purchasing the vehicle after last year’s event.
“I had my first run (this year) on Tuesday with a slight tail breeze and had a run of 245mph (394kph),” Bullock said.
“My next run was not until Thursday into a slight head breeze and I run 241mph.
“Then I had a backup run Friday morning in perfect conditions with no wind and 20 degree temperature and managed 243mph, to give me an average of 242mph and a new Australian record for the class.
“We believe the car in its current aerodynamic configuration will not go much faster.”
In 2018 Bullock drove the car at his first run on the salt, looking to gain his licence to run each of the various speeds.
The result was a 214mph run – a record at the time.
“That was the max speed I would have got out of that car then,” Bullock said.
“It was a scary ride, but to go faster was in the back of my mind.”
That was clearly enough to convince him to purchase the car and take it back to Penola.
From there, the work began to ensure the car handled better, with the help of Peter Taylor.
The Lakester – built from the fuel tank of an old aircraft – runs a 632 cubic inch Chevrolet engine, through a two-speed Doug Nash gearbox and a Ford nine-inch differential, producing around 800 horsepower.
The runs on the lake are made over a six-mile speed course, with the same distance allowed to reduce speed if required.
Timing starts at the two-mile mark, then recorded from the two to three mile, three to four mile, four to five mile and five to six mile marks.
Bullock said the original setup provided no adjustments to ride height and suspension, which had all been changed over the winter.
“We decided we needed to make a car that was tunable once we got up there this year,” he said.
“We progressively tuned it throughout the week and the car got better and better.
“We still have a little bit of work to do, but it is a completely different car than last year.”
Those changes obviously made a big difference, with a much higher top speed recorded, which Bullock said was quite noticeable on the salt flats.
“You know you are doing it … things are happening pretty quick,” he said.
“We have markers every quarter-mile on the track and they slip past pretty quick.
“I think it is about 108 metres-per-second.”
The car has a rich history, originally built in the USA and run at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats.
Bullock said after just two events in Australia the Lakester has already garnered a healthy following.
As a result he said he is hesitant to make too many changes to the “hot rod” style of the car, but a new top speed of 250mph is on the radar for next year.
“If we can do some minor modifications aerodynamically, I think 250 would be nice,” Bullock said.
“The aim is to make a new set of headers that will follow the contour of the body, a bit of aerodynamic work around the rockers and axles, plus moon caps on the outside and inside of the wheels.
“I think that is what it will need to get over that 250mph mark.”
It was certainly a successful result for the Penola speedster, but the week was also about another three drivers, including Taylor, who gained his 150mph licence.
Meanwhile, at 72 years of age Noel Heenan was able to go up to 200mph, while his wife Victoria gained her 175mph licence.
Bullock is no stranger to speed, having raced HQ Holdens at Calder Park Thunderdome in the early 1990s, before moving to America in 1995.
There he worked for three different NASCAR teams, building and working on cars for the likes of Darryl Waltrip, Kurt Busch and Mark Martin.
In 2002 the team finished second in the NASCAR championship with Martin driving.
From there Bullock headed across to the World of Outlaws sprintcar series, working for Jason Myers.
He moved back to Australia permanently in 2006.
All that experience gained in the USA in car setup and wind tunnel testing has certainly helped in his quest to now go fast in his own right.
Bullock noted he could not have achieved his record without the support of fiance Angela, who could well be one to watch in the future.
“Ange was telling me to get out and get the car done (over the winter),” he said.
“She understands the enjoyment.
“When our kids are a bit older, Ange has the ambition to have a drive herself.
“I think she sees that 200mph as a bit of a box to tick as well.”
