15 August 2006

BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS - UTAH

Time: 22:10 (US)

Temperature: 29°C

Location: Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah

Following eight runs the night before at Wendover airfield, the team completed a further six runs before 09.00 this morning. The aim was to test the software change made to the engine management system to reduce the fuelling of the front engine in first gear so increasing the load to the rear engine and pushing it on to boost.

It appeared to be successful with both engines going on to boost even though it was only possible to engage second gear for a few seconds.

Based on this result we took the car on to the Salt Flats but the JCB team faced a long queue because running was delayed until 10.30 due to high cross winds.

The car moved slowly along the line from 11.30 until 17.09 when the car’s 42nd run got underway; the JCB DIESELMAX was the penultimate car to run today. In the run the rear engine went on to boost in first gear as planned, but in second gear the front engine didn’t pick up. Despite three attempts to bring the boost up, including de-clutching the rear engine, the front engine didn’t go onto boost. It had already been motored beyond the speed at which it will load up.

In simple terms the technical changes had transferred the rear boost problem on to the front engine. Top speed was 186mph.

The car was immediately taken back to airfield and in the heat of the early evening the team set to work on a mechanical change to the engine system. They faced working all night to manufacture a balance bar to connect the two boost systems. Tomorrow morning the new parts will be fitted and some electronic control system changes installed.

The JCB has completed its fourth consecutive day of running on the salt.