The Eagle has landed-continued up-date
July 25th, 2008, Features
Our good friend Tony adamowicz and his 1969 Gurney Eagle continue their saga and return to racing after nearly 40 years.
A2Z and his 1969 championship winning car were re-united again, this time at America’s best race track, Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Best track food on the planet too; Brats and fresh grilled corn on the cob…YUM!!! A follow-up story is coming and will be written in Tony’s own pen!
In the mean time, in car video from Sears Point (click on the link below) and a great picture from Elkhart lake……
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QHExEOI6Gc
O.C.C.E
July 27th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Greetings all you OC Care Enthusiasts….
It’s not often that I get to personally address each and everyone of you this way, almost as if we were one on one at a race gathering or meeting. I am honored Klaus has allowed me to be a part of your race enthusiasm .
What’s it Really like out there ? That’s always one of the first questions from fans like yourself.
The F 5000 race car is an American formula with generally an American engine power plant, 5 liter ( 302 cu inch displacement) With modern technology in engine building advancements, we have a 150 More HP (over 600 hp) than we did back in 1969. The Engine Torgue (over 500 ft lbs) has also increased, providing heart stopping acceleration.
Stomp on the throttle too soon and the rotational forces will immediately direct you off circuit and into a ditch. If you over do the throttle and back off mid corner expect this car to swap ends very quickly at a great head of speed. If you don’t have the proper brake balance front to rear, expect the car to be twitchy under application and if you have too much rear brake application it will bite in the butt.
This is a 1400 lb race car with No electronic Traction Control stability system, or Anti lock brakes …pure race car with Gusto, at recent Road America we were geared for 195 mph ! The fastest road course in America, over 4 miles in length.
Fortunately we do have some Aero Wing Aides to keep this Eagle down to earth, we Never want it to Fly ….Ever !
In 1969, at Road America raceway, I witnessed John Cannon’s Eagle nesting in the trees about 30 feet up , while approaching turn 7. Fortunately John was all right, and with his past RAF flight status, was able exit the car, climb down and do a tumble roll on the ground. His car was repaired and got to run the race that weekend. Check out this true story on my biography website: http://www.a2zracer.com/page19.html Under Believe it or Not.
So What is the secret of driving this beast ? Well the secret is precision, smooth application of throttle and brakes. Accelerating in a straight line seems pretty easy , as long as your wheels are pointed straight. The steering wheel is Go Kart size with No Power Steering and with huge front tires with 11 inch wide rims, the steering wheel is constantly fighting you from the various road surfaces encountered. Oh by the way, we do encounter G forces that will lay your head off to the side, the additional radio gear adds to the weight of the driver’s helmet. Conclusion is: ” Hold on Tight” with an Adrenaline Rush, your going for the ride of your life!…even if you are nearly 40 years older than you were in 1969.
Thanks for listening , look forward to meeting each and everyone of you real soon.
Cheers !
Tony a2z
a2z Racer LLC
www.a2zracer.com
www.a2zracergear.com