First, Don and Hartmut. Finally got around to reading the AMA supplementary rule book. To run for the AMA record both of you must have a current physical signed by a doctor stating that you are in good health. Second, this is a bit of good news. The rules for working up to speed are quite different than the BNI rules. A current driver's license allows you to go on your first pass up to 149 mph. This is referred to as level one. Level two is 150 to 199 mph. Level three is 200 to 299 mph. Level four is unlimited, 300 mph and faster. This is far better than the 25 mph increments for a BNI meet. For instance, Don, you have a 150 mph BNI license, so the first pass you make you'll be able to go 199 mph. The second pass you make you'll be able to go 299 mph. I don't even know why they have a level four, as it seems to me that after you've done that you should be allowed to go as fast as Black Lightning will take you. Hartmut you will require only one more additional pass. This will really speed things up a lot. Remember guys, that with each pass you make it is mandatory that both parachutes be deployed.

Had a bit of a shocker while reading the rule book. One place stated that the fire bottles had to have a provision that they could be fired externally. Another place said that it was only recommended. The rule book is contradicting itself. So I gave Denis Manning a call to clarify this discrepancy in the rules. To make a long story short, it's not required that I build an external firing mechanism for the fire bottles. Thank goodness for that. I don't need another wheelbarrow full of cement to push up the hill.

We did a bit of chit chat and I discovered that I made an erroneous report on jtan regarding Denis on the salt. It seems that his liner didn't go as scheduled for testing. They had the engine on the dyno checking out the turbo charger, and the shaft broke between the engine and the dyno. They're having a lot of problems getting the fuel curve right for the turbo charger, as the fuel injection is all computerized, requiring the changing of computer chips and programming. One other problem they have is that they ordered some low compression pistons and they didn't arrive in time so as time is running short, they'll be using the high compression pistons that are in the engine and opening up the waste gate on the turbo down to four pounds of boost. Denis said that there's just no time left to pop the low compression pistons in, so they're going with what they've got. He has a crew of four people working on the bike at this time, getting it ready for the meet. And as I've known Denis for several years, I know that he's a dedicated bloke. His liner will be at the Bub Meet. He also gave me an update on the salt. They've laid out the long course and the short course, and the salt is in excellent condition this year. They've completed five miles of the long course, and when finished they feel that they will be able to achieve a ten mile long course. This is also much better than the BNI meets, as their courses very seldom reach ten miles, usually they're around eight miles or so.