So, I took Bender (trusty ’54 Studebaker) to the Hemmings World HQ in Bennington, Vermont this evening, for the Cruise-In there. Bender is still wearing all his 2018 GR stickers, so it may have embarrassed the judges out of giving him all the awards he may richly deserve otherwise (conflict of interest and all that, since this IS the Hemmings Motor News Great Race we’re talking about). But we had fun. We always do when we’re there.
Furthermore, I took the opportunity (while Jim Menneto was taking a break from sunning himself) to sneak into the Hemmings Holy of Holies and catch a glimpse of what Jim is working on for his next attempt at the Great Race. I was able to get a glimpse of all the work getting done on his famous blue Ford Speedster (hey, now that he’s actually finished one Great Race, he might be thinking of seriously competing).
I discovered no Russians, but still – a devilishly clever strategy unfolding, as illustrated in the images here, taken with my trusty pocket whoPhone spy camera.
Clearly, Jim has solved both his excess weight (let me be clear – the vehicle’s weight) and his frequent component failure issues in past attempts, by the brilliant and improvisational approach shown: removal of the entire engine! I found no visible clues yet on how he will get his feet through the floorboards to make the car go, Flintstone-style…but at least he can stop worrying about the clutch pedal falling off again.
Menneto’s Secret Plan: Lightweighting the Speedster.
Won’t work, you say? Ah, but don’t be too sure you’re safe, because I also found in another corner of the top-secret workshop, a Back-Up Plan (or Plan B, if you prefer, since it’s really hard to do the Great Race backing up in Reverse, even with a plan). That’s revealed in the second image here. Clearly, there are contingency options – to swap some spare 427 parts onto the ol’ flathead, a plan revealed here undeniably by the presence of a nearby scrap-donor engine, the Hemmings Logo on the hastily built secrecy wall, and the detailed instructions printed on the handy spare-parts receptacle: “Let’s Do This.” NOTE: Do not be fooled by the lookalike “Homer’s All-Purpose Bucket” decoy (Homer might be Russian?), or by the also nearby beverage-chilling receptacle, cleverly disguised as a trash can with liner. There seems no doubt that “Let’s Do This” is now Jim’s mantra and strategy!
AHA! and Of Course! Diabolical! Look out, you mere Experts and Grand Champions, Menneto is coming to win in 2019!
Menneto’s OTHER Secret Plan: Engine Swapping!
Can you imagine driving for over a week in an open car through 100 degree temperatures and driving rain covering over 1500 miles you are about to cross the finish line in your own hometown and you break down? Well it happened to the Hemmings Team last year. An amazing rescue by Naomi and Tommy of Tommy’s Trailers got us running again so even though we got a DNF for the day we were still able to cross the finish line under our own power. “To finish is to Win” We have been testing and running the 32 Speedster over the winter and I believe the car is ready to rock and roll. Now we just have to get the driver squared away.
Over the last couple of days we have finally been able to take the speedster out and run her hard getting ready for the Great Race. Over the winter the master of flatheads, Rex Gardner of Flat Motor Research in Grove, OK, rebuilt our engine and gave us a little more power to boot. Need to get some real seat time now to make sure everything is in order. Drove the speedster up a pretty good size Vermont yesterday and she ran like a charm. Hopefully in the next couple of days it will be warm enough to have my navigator join me on some timing practice runs.
We are so proud to sponsor and participate in the 2011 Great Race. I have flown over our country hundreds of times coast to coast but it wasn’t till the 2005 Great Race did I ever drive across this beautiful country of ours. I was amazed at how beautiful it is once you get off the highways and travel the secondary roads. I was bitten by the rally bug then and have loved every minute of it. I believe our love for old cars is infectious and when we get to show our cars by driving through towns and cities you can see the smiles on peoples faces and the constant thumbs up from passerby’s both young and old. I can’t think of something more fun that you can do with your old car then to drive it in an old car rally. We aren’t very good at rallying but we still have a great deal of fun. Some of the best parts are the camaraderie that is formed between your fellow rallyist. They have become like a rally family to me. Even though we are all competitors they will help you work on your car all night long if need be to get you running again for the next days event. It is so exciting to meet folks in towns where we stop for lunch and are overnight stops. We are made to feel like celebrities when folks are asking for our autographs or to have their picture taken with us. If you have ever considered doing an old car rally this is the year to do it. Many programs are being put into place to help the first timers and to insure you have a great time and a successful outing. We are getting our 32 Speedster ready here in Vermont once the snow is off the road we will be testing her… More to come. If I can answer any questions feel free to ask.
