Ah, it's just about here -- the day when we begin to write the number "2010" on each check and memo.  Let's make a couple of resolutions, one of which will be to try to quit writing "2009" on those checks by mid-May or so.  And let's really resolve to make 2010 the best, most rewarding, and safest year of racing we've each ever had.

Many Happy Returns of the Day to everyone!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Nancy and I hope your holiday is loaded with all of the good things you want - and no turnouts or blown engines or any of that bad stuff.

Happy Holidays to you all!

The BONNEVILLE NW REUNION will be held Feb 13, 2010 at the Shilo Inn, Portland Airport property.

The costs are the same as last year. Banquet tickets $48 and rooms $89.

Friday night Ed Shadle will give a presentation about his F104 project.

Glenn Freudenberger, the host, is working on several trips for Saturday AM.

Saturdays speaker will be Bret Kepner, ESPN and Fox Sports on air personality.

To contact Shilo Inn for rooms, call either the 800 National number or directly to the Portland number.

The National number is 800-222-2244 and the local number is 503-212-7500. I just checked and there are rooms blocked for us.

Make checks to Bonneville NW Reunion.

To contact him: FREUD 11113 37th Dr SE Everett, WA. 98208

Phone 425-422-6944.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory. His memorial service is 2 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church.
Gene left us on Dec. 8, 2009. We expect he's gone racing with his departed friends, or is beginning another great project.
Gene was born in Great Falls on Nov. 1, 1936, to Carl and Phyllis Burkland.
His brother Jack died in 2004, and his sister Bonnie Flanagan lives in Missoula. In 1959, he married Betty Hunter. They have two sons; Tom and his wife Linda and daughter Carly from Ogden, Utah, and Bill and his wife Barb and sons Nick and John from Clancy. Gene grew up in Great Falls, and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1954.
Gene began his career with the Montana Air National Guard in 1956 and worked there for nearly 30 years, welding everything from titanium aircraft parts to tricycles and red wagons. When he retired, he moved into race car production and welding/repair work at his home shop. His love affair with cars began in 1951, when he bought his first car for $7.50. After investing in a $10 piston, he was ready to roll!
During the 1960s, his was a familiar face at drag races across Montana, first with a 1932 Ford roadster, and then with a dragster. Classics Car Club, custom show cars, stock cars and dragsters grew into a Bonneville land speed racer produced and run with the assistance of hundreds of friends. In 1971, he took his home-built Studebaker and many friends to Bonneville for the annual Speed Week. He set a national record in 1978 at 255 mph, becoming the first Montanan in the exclusive Bonneville 200 MPH Club. His next car put his son Tom into the 200 MPH Club. Since 1986, Gene, Betty and Tom have been building and racing their streamliner. They set a National Speed Record in October 2004 at 417 mph and a World Speed Record in September of 2008 at 416 mph.
Gene's life revolved around the love of his family and the friends he accumulated through his skill and creativity in welding, his love of cars and curiosity about everything. He was a magnet who drew people to his garage and he had that stubborn streak needed to see an idea through to the end.
He began battling his lung disease in earnest in 1997. We're glad he's finally breathing easy, but we'll miss his ever-present smile.
In lieu of flowers, please bring or send your favorite picture of you and Gene to Croxford Funeral Home, 1307 Central Ave. Great Falls, MT 59401.
Donations can be made to "Save the Salt" c/o Russ Eyres, 3673 Millikin Ave., San Diego, CA 92122.
Condolences may be posted online at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.

The Utah Salt Flats Racing Association held its annual awards banquet Saturday evening, the fifth of December, at the Rainbow in West Wendover, Nevada. At least a half-dozen record torphies were handed out, and awards for many of the USFRA volunteers were made, too. The banquet featured a fine meal (that's why it's called a "banquet" not a feeding trough) - and a fine set of videos showing lakes racing from back in the 50s and 60s was playing during the social hour. The video gave mosgt everyone something to chat about as it proceeded. Chief Starter Monte Widdison played his usual role as Camshaft the Great and attempted to be entertaining at the same time he was being tall. He succeeded in the tall part, at least. . .

Some outstanding achievements that were honored included Joe Amo's fastest mile speed -- of 272.610 miles per hour -- on a sit-on bike! Joe (who wasn't able to attend the gala event) was awarded the Jeff-Decker made "Flat Out at Bonneville" trohpy showing the iconic lakes racing image -- Rollie Free on his Vincent wearing just a swimming suit and shower cap, lying on his belly on the bike (in his attempt to get it over 150 mph). Congratulations from everyone, Joe.

Jeff Decker's brass work "The Larsen-Cummins Streamliner" was awarded to owner Don Nuss and driver Scott Norris, whose A/FS was the fastest car at the meet - with a best mile speed of 337.187. They also earned Skip Higginbotham's "Fastest Quarter Speed" award. Skip and the award were stuck in Pahrump - so all we got to see was a photo version of the award.

And then there's my favorite, Nancy Wennerberg, also known as Mrs. Seldom Seen Slim. (Disclaimer: Nancy's my wife so I get to brag about her, hey?) She not only received a trophy for her 202.307 record in the 1650 CC Production (motorcycle) class, but also, thanks to her fastest mile speed of 204.051, earned the Bud McManus-sponsored "Fast Lady Competitor of the Meet" trophy. The award is a 3-D laser-engraved crystal block. It's a bugger to get a good flash photo, so please be patient and I'll eventually take a good available-light shot so you can see this way cool trophy. Nancy joins a select group of lady racerrs, including Rhonnie Vesco, Betty Burkland, Mary West, and Kris Wright, that have been given this trophy. Nancy is the first racer to have won the trophy while riding a motorcycle.

The USFRA banquet featured quite a bit of entertainment, good food, good words, and best wishes from many -- including USFRA President Jim Burkdoll. He asked that members of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club who were in the room introduce themselves and tell one and all the year that they entered and the speed of their record that got them into the club -- so all four of us in the room did so. And then Jim went on to wish all the racers the best of luck and perseverance in their efforts to get into the Club and to set new records. It was a fine get-together to end the 2009 racing season - and set the stage for 2010. We'll see you on the Salt!

By the way, if you'd like to see photos and join in the commentary about this event, please go to the L S R Forums section of this website and click on the "World of Speed 2009" topic.

The Utah Salt Flats Racing Association held its annual awards banquet tonight (5 December 2009) at the Rainbow Casino in West Wendover, Nevada. At least a half-dozen record trophies were handed out, and awards for many of the USFRA volunteers were made, too. The banquet featured a fine meal and a great set of videos showing lakes racing from back in the 50s and 60s was playing during the social hour giving most everyone something to chat about as it proceeded. Chief starter Monte Widdison held forth as the Great Camshaft (I think thats what he called himself) and attempted to be entertaining at the same time he was being tall. He succeeded in the tall part, at least. Some outstanding achievements that were honored included Joe Amos fastest mile of 272.610 miles per hour - on a sit-on bike! Joe (who wasnt able to attend the gala event) was awarded the Jeff Decker-made Flat Out at Bonneville trophy, depicting Rollie Frees famous 150+mph run wearing only a bathing suit and shower cap. The visual is probably THE iconic visual image of land speed racing. Congratulations, Joe. Jeff Deckers brass work The Larsen-Cummins Streamliner was awarded to owner Don Nuss and driver Scott Norris whose A/FS was the fastest car at the meet with a best mile speed of 337.187 mph. They also earned Skip Higginbothams Fastest Quarter Speed award. Skip and the award were stuck in Pahrump so all we got was a photo version of the plaque. And then theres the local favorite (as far as Im concerned cause Nancys my wife). Nancy Wennerberg, also known as Mrs. Seldom Seen Slim, not only received a trophy for her 201++ mph record in the 1650cc Production motorcycle class but also, thanks to her fast mile of 204.051, earned the Fast Lady of the Meet award sponsored by Bud McManus. The award is a 3-D laser-engraved crystal block thats a bugger to get a good photo using flash. Ill eventually take an available light shot so you can see this way cool trophy. Nancy joins a very select group of lady racers including Betty Burkland, Mary West, Rhonnie Vesco and Kris Wright that have earned the award. Nancy is the first racer to win riding a motorcycle. The USFRA banquet featured quite a bit of entertainment, good food, and good words and best wishes from Jim Burkdoll, the president of the USFRA. He asked that members of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club who were in the room introduce themselves and so all four of us did so. And then Jim went on to wish all racers the best of luck and perseverance in their efforts to get into the Club in the future. It was a fine get-together to end the 2009 racing season and set the stage for 2010. Well see you on the Salt! PS: The website is kind of clunky about having me post photos on the home page (where youre reading this story) so follow this link (or just go to the World of Speed section of the Bonneville section of the Forum on landracing.com. http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,6756.345.html

Mojave Mile website is up -- Reserve your grid spot!

New post by Mike Borders » Mon Nov 30, 2009 12:54 pm


We are now taking reservations this week for grid slots. Entry forms aren't quite ready yet but will be soon. The Rule Book is available for on-line reading and download. Contact info is on the website, and I'll repeat the office phone number here: 702-614-6108.

When the entry forms are ready, we will start at the top of our reservation list and take entry deposits, which will get you an entry packet. Group Leaders wanting to enter their teams should have all team member's names and key info handy when calling in. (Name, address, phone, email, and car/bike description.)

Please help spread the word by notifying all of your forums and friends.

See you in March!

Mike B