While the previous post detailed the exploits of unlimited-class time attack cars with seemingly unlimited budgets, we take a look now at an effort that makes up for enthusiasm what it lacks in budget.The VW Karman Ghia pictured here is a land speed racer that was formerly a street driven car but has been running at the Bonneville Speed Week for two years now.
The car is shared between brother and sister Zach and Talor Burns, who share a passion for speed.Entered in the production class, the Karmann Ghia has just enough mods to make it legal to run in the salt, such as a fire suppression system, full cage, new wiring harness and some additional gauges to monitor the engine.
Except for lowering the car 2 inches and sometimes running aero wheels, the body is totally stock. The engine is a rebuilt 1900cc unit that redlines at 8000 rpm and is used with a VW transaxle. At its run at the 2011 Speed Week in Bonneville, it hit 144.75 mph before the engine blew, caused by a broken valve. As there was no way to rebuild it there, the efforts of the team will have to wait until next year.
Veterans of Speed Week say that going to Bonneville once is enough to make the speed bug bite you hard enough that you keep coming back. For this family endeavor (dad is part of the crew), their aim of becoming the fastest production class Type 1 VW will ensure that they will keep coming back to the salt for years to come.
Inspiration for this article found here.
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