Bonneville Speed Week 2002

The Progress/Vortech Civic had fuel problems early in the week, leading to a temporary "lean" condition. The lean burning charge acted like a cutting torch to the pistons and a pronounced loss of power (as they burned). This later brought out all the tools in the trailer plus a few flown in from Torrance to get the engine rebuilt with all new pistons and all new valves. After a two-and-a-half day rebuild and re-tune drill, the Progress/Vortech Civic finally left the line toward a 204.287 mph run.

The Progress/Vortech Civic had fuel problems early in the week, leading to a temporary "le

August 2002 was the month for the 54th Annual Bonneville Speed Week. An event world renowned as Mecca for land speed racing. Each year racers and hot rodders come from the far corners of the earth to see just how fast they can go.

The import scene at Bonneville has never been its strongest draw, but imports have seen a good percentage of the success in the smaller displacement classes. Some teams have come from as far as Australia and Japan to shake down their JDM-based rides. And even a few of the old guard, lakes races have begun running imports because of the higher output per liter and better aero packages of the smaller production cars.

During the dry, hot, shadeless event this year there were a few cars to catch our attention. Here is just a sample:

Progress/Vortech Lead:
The whole week has built up to this-the last run of the meet. The CB announces car 738 - Progress/Vortech Civic as the starter waves a hand and the car takes off. Dan Paramore shushes the other crewmembers, then cups his ears with his hands so he can listen to the rises and falls and shifts of the screaming VTEC engine. Everyone at the line - the crew, the starters in their white cosmonaut suits, the spectators and the other crews and staff who have followed the Civic's trials over the week - hold their breath and listen as the car, having ripped through 1st and 2nd gears, accelerates through 3rd, then on through 4th and into 5th.

Jeff Cheechov, Mr. Progress, is at the door of his pickup, one leg already in, ready to go but too mesmerized by the Honda's still-climbing note and speed.

At first mention of the car's speed over the CB--195mph-- Jeff tenses and grins but doesn't let loose. The engine is still climbing slowly with a gorgeous sound, nearly three miles away, at the top end of the tach.

The second mention of speed over the CB is 202mph and the crew erupts in cheers. "202!" Jeff shouts. "202, BABY." He leaps into the air from person to person, high-fiving, hugging, fists pumping. The whole crew whoops and cheers. So raucous is the cheering that no one hears the CB.

The final call from the CB goes unheard by the crew. In the car's 4th mile, it's hit 204.287mph. It's the last run of the meet and the first Civic ever over 200. Bitchen.

Just one story of many from the 53rd Annual Bonneville Speed Week...