Testing in Colorado

Some images of the Skelta testing in Colorado Rockies. the main concentration here was the ECU reading the altitude. After some minor tweaks ECU expert, David Hinde, got it into the sweet zone.

Cath reattaches the bonnet after a test and tune session.

The team re assembles for more data logging with 'Merlin', before heading off up to 11,500 feet again.

Press Release update

July 6^th, 2012.

For Immediate Release

Aussie team commits to new Pikes Peak date.

Though disadvantaged by the postponement of the 2012 Pikes Peak event from its original date to the later date of August 12, the visiting Aussie Skelta team has confirmed it is committed to supporting the iconic hill climb.

Originally scheduled for July 8, the event was placed on hold when massive fires swept the area around Pikes Peak and nearby Colorado Springs, destroying over 350 homes. The Colorado Forestry service met with the organisers and it was agreed to postpone the 2012 event until the fires were fully contained.

Skelta’s driver Jeff Denmeade says he fully understands the reasons behind the postponement: “Coming from the Aussie bush that occasionally ignites in similar fashion our team empathizes with the Pikes Peak organisers and our thoughts are primarily with the people of the Colorado Springs area many of whom have been hit so hard by this fire.”

“While it’s going to be financially tough on us, because we will be flying home and then back to Colorado a few weeks later, but putting it all into perspective our problems fade almost  into insignificance when compared to the disastrous outcome for people who lost their homes.

“We just have to bite the bullet, power-up and push on,” added Denmeade.

“It almost seems that chasing a good result in the hill climb is not our first concern.  Instead, our priority is to get back to Colorado Springs to show our support for these wonderful people who have hosted the event for the past 96 years.

“These are great people and we’ve ended up with friends for life from our first visit to Pikes Peak in 2010.’

FACT: Pikes Peak has only been cancelled twice in its history and that was during the two world wars.

At first our team considered to skip the re-dated 2012 event, leave the vehicle and parts in storage in Colorado for 12 months and go with the 2013 event.  But after a meeting of the heads for our team, it was decided to push through and run the rescheduled 2012 event.

The team wishes to thank Honda Racing HPD (USA) for its support and assistance offered to us all during this event, and also our head ECU engineer David Hinde (from NSW) for his on-event input bringing the Skelta up to spec for high altitude running.

Ends:

Route 66 - Victorville - LA outskirts

Old Route 66 now unused, next to the newer road (on the right)

Want to stay in a teepee? these are a Route 66 incon, they used to say "do it in a Teepee rooms by the hour"

Old Gas station on Route 66 going deeper into LA, the diner is gone, and the remnants of the gas station barely stand.

Overpass into greater LA, celebrating the Route 66.

Yes, that does say "since 1848", this restaurant is older than 'Australia' (titled Australia in 1901)

The Sycamor Restaurant

Beautiful 1950's Restaurant

Monument to all the women that also went out on Route 66 and the families they raised. Full stature below.

End of the road, we had to turn off here and go have lunch.

Route 66

We take Route 66 from flagstaff all the way back to LA. Sometimes intriguing, sometimes boring, sometimes a dead end.