After being told that we had to leave the parking lot, I decided to suspend any more work on the liner until we were on the salt in our pit. We hoisted the liner onto the salt trailer and took it to the end of the entrance road leading to the salt bed. The S.C.T.A. sets up a road block at this area to keep racers off the salt so that they can do their work preparing the two courses, setting up cone markers and laying down black lines 100 yards apart on (I've been told that the 100 yards shrink to about 20 feet at over 300 mph.) the full length of the short course well as the long course, grading the salt. setting up timing lights at the 2 1/4 mile, the 3 mile, the 4 mile, the 5 mile and the out the back door timing clock on the long course. The long course is for cars, trucks and motorcycles that are over 175 mph machines. The short course is for machines under 175 mph. These machines do not require parachutes for stopping. I don't know how many clocks are set up, nor do I know how long the course is, as I have never run the short course.

The next day was pretty much a day of rest and shooting the bull with fellow racers. I was interviewed on tape by Mrs. Shearer, who has recently been making a film/documentary on each year's contenders hopes and particulars on their machines. Caroline MacDougall made a run into town, bought fans, some consumables for the liner, and a couple of coolers for the daily sandwiches and drinks that were provided to the pit crew. Hartmut and his friend Marc was scheduled to fly in from Germany. Barry Howell volunteered to make the 110 mile drive into Salt Lake City to pick them up. (He's so easy)

The next day, the morning of the 13th, had finally arrived. We were there about 4:30 in the morning to hook up the two trailers. The reason for getting there early is the fact that the road going onto the salt is about three miles in length, two lane, but quite narrow. With the 400 or so entrants for the event you can see that the road gets pretty congested. The high rollers add more than their share with their 18 wheelers, that carry their toys and most often complete machine shops with spares for practically everything on the car. Then there is Black Lightning, the V.O.C. hopeful that has to consider and ponder a 10 cent cost increase in the gas budget to get to the salt. Nevertheless at 0600, when the flood gates were opened for the 400 contestants to enter the salt, Black Lightning was the first in line. The reason is that it is important to get your pit area set up and organized so you can get your vehicle in the next line, which is the first race of the event. The 13th was tech day. The drill is to get your vehicle in line as soon as possible, as this is quite time consuming.

The troops were in force by this time, the tents were being put up and the pit started looking pretty good in about an hour an a half.

In attendance from across the ponds, were Hartmut and Marc from Germany, Peter Wafford and his grandson who's name escapes me. Dick Perry and Ruth Perry from the UK, and later Terry Prince from Australia. The crowd from Canada, many former "Vibrac" members who saw fit to join the Lambky effort were Barrie Howell, Tom Murray, Bernie Vanson, John MacDougall, Caroline MacDougall, Ron Peers, Mark Mcknight, Ken Molynaus, Tony Cording, John Keatley, Kevin Keatly. From California came Don Angel, Sonny Angel, Larry Feece, Steve Doherty, John Caraway, Lenny Mcknight, Brenda Mcknight, Ray Hasken and his daughter, and Bill Easter and his wife. Bob Bonato, the NA Rally organiser, showed up for a couple of three days. and of course Mike Shea and myself. Forgive me if I left anyone out, it wasn't intentional.

An important scheduled member of the group was missing and that was Dave Campos. He had agreed to help with the riding chores. He had said he would school Don and Hartmut in the particulars of riding a streamliner. I had received a phone call from my wife Patti, while in Deer Lodge, she told me that Dave had called her to say he would not be able to make Speed Week. He had a serious kidney infection and a kidney stone that most likely needed surgery. He is now doing fine and feels pretty good about still holding his FIM record at 322.149 mph. However, he recognizes that he is no longer the "Worlds Fastest". So with Dave being a no show it was up to me as Crew Chief to make all the decisions pertaining to the rider's schooling.