Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program

So, you're not quite ready for the road between Timberline Lodge and Government Camp? I made that run on a Sled, Christmas day 1971. 6 miles of absolute thrills mixed with a fair bit of terror. Dad was a little miffed when he heard about it.

Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program

Well!  That was a great finishing run.  However right after that video I did get to see Chris and his band playing Voodoo Chile.  So with that thought in mind, hats off to the young lady - Orianthi:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK6tcgsKgps

"Big Smooth"

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Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program

HEY, that Kouba Band ain't bad! He plays a pretty mean guitar!

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I don't know where or how to even start to describe my day yesterday. I'll start with AWESOME! I did NOT leave the road in any of the test sessions. I was very happy with the Hawksbill Flyers performance, which by the way it raised its fastest posted speed to 47 MPH! I felt the rush of adrenaline multiple times! I drove a 3 wheeled, non motorized vehicle at speeds of somewhere around 50 MPH for extended periods of time. I piloted that same car through multiple hairpin corners in full lock rear wheel slides without brakes! I scared the shit out of myself multiple times!.......................MAN, what a fun day!

Thanks to all the team members that made it out to make this day happen! Howie, Beau, Dave, Jeff Cocher, Jeff & Jenny and the little Burns, Dennis, and BIGSBY! For those of you that don't already know, Bigsby is The only official 4 legged member of the Scuderia Team. And to Chris Kouba! Chris has made all of this possible by building some fantastic gravity cars! And to Dennis Hart. Dennis put us on this path by building the first gravity car and introducing us all to this insane world!

I have a lot to process (and not just in my head) from yesterday's event. There were many pictures taken as well as videos so as they arrive I will be posting more information on the Scuderia Kouba website as well as the Gravity racers Facebook page.

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Here's some teasers:

Hawksbill Flyer & Scuderia Kouba MKII slow pass:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlC_rSx … e=youtu.be

Scuderia Kouba MKI in the lead, with the MKII following. I LOVE the sound the MKI makes as it passes by!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypsqrBm … e=youtu.be

The Hawksbill Flyer flat out, 47 MPH!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU8GndE … e=youtu.be

Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program

A very fun video with Jeff C on board the Mk II:

https://youtu.be/95HQL0QwKoc

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Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program

I couldn't help but notice you passing him...............

Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program

Mitch58 wrote:

So, you're not quite ready for the road between Timberline Lodge and Government Camp? I made that run on a Sled, Christmas day 1971. 6 miles of absolute thrills mixed with a fair bit of terror. Dad was a little miffed when he heard about it.

Maybe not from T-Line to Govy but I think from Govy to Rhody is in play.  The way these things roll, we would probably make it to Sandy if we had the courage and didn't get pulled over for speeding.

Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program

wb0s wrote:

I couldn't help but notice you passing him...............

I couldn't help notice the push he got from Dave at the start to get him ahead of me......................

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Oh yeah???!!!!...Well I did see him active on that brake lever too!!!!............

I think we need a rematch!!!!!

211 (edited by ckouba May 5, 2017 12:31 pm)

Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program

wb0s wrote:

I think we need a rematch!!!!!


I'm free right now.

PS - Your brake is fixed.

Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program

Wow guys, those look great. Even the flyer, it looks like its, well flying.

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What was up with the brake & what was the fix?

47 MPH on the Flyer Mitch, up from 43 MPH last year!

Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program

Rotor was warped.  Started to tweak it back and it went, PING!!!  And then it was straight...

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I love it when metal remembers!!!!................


...........I sure can't!!!

Guess it might have gotten a little hot?..............

216 (edited by ckouba May 9, 2017 8:21 pm)

Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program

Upon further inspection post-testing, noticed that I've started a bug collection:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5fK63TzIW_eakmHXSw7k9GA8cAKkz4pFWg4M9PlhEWdcvHQ9VD0yqYPN960rx8Gf1d1XPgmw961wXtO77o1onkqB-vtWLsUK7UOB-JG0xlpQkryHiOw10B_NMjR0JBbt2aaA7S0SAcWTxZoQatRRJS25cewve1I7sBtLO7Ay7FEYbrDjpNfAktBKC6m1ZbGeiKQcdgugEK_SIzxJvg_6qbnmTeM7qEVkQTKyEleGLYGqWAndVPDnfJ5sEV7GIhWRhIGziMWHCzDNttHFjoKNhwE5UHYVOhF0DRL3axE6MVJCK0eyV7TNcIJ6jGhu6M6cxUJG7OqREBd1hQjmG26i773GphLkgEUK3KNgistPvH_4KUwUgO6P6-r_yHq3NMkuLscRcibPqhQrgiZw7SE1cG3vlELWI_DF_o-80tq2rqqbC5hIwBkihFsw2HmP23TpwLVGgbQil6gL-vMGluV4-RLuBoNPiBnXHyNxhvBZlfyUmQSf5EJBAjStH10HSLjAhTGTK8tNVCgPf-V1nHzqAJNpr_yf6HFJ-wh6e-lnyEcTVpU0huQUZDYJKG0aM0HylTlmUaS3NXHl_LZaXRAA_XCnavL2j66PhSOMMM0HhetJyGJxQY5Y1C9hWIxDQVLQgh7kMR1IRZqxC4faJS2Zjt7YcfJxGgLV-d6vaPEHTjc=w1690-h950-no

Pretty wild.  50-something feels pretty damn fast!

Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program

mmmm I don't see any pics

The secondnidator

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Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program

So it's pictures you're looking for eh?

Here's Chris getting ready for a run.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4825.jpg

My first run of the day in The Hawksbill Flyer was a shorter slow pass. After my off road excursion in the last test session I wanted to make sure I had some things sorted out! I didn't forget my helmet this time either!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4826.jpg

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Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program

This is the newest team member Jeff Chochon. Jeff won the auction for the chance to drive the Scuderia Kouba MKII in the Portland Adult Soap Box Derby. The auction was held for my Granddaughter's school, Creative Science in Portland. A second auction will be held at Buckman Arts Elementary in Portland this month. Contact Jeff Burns if you're interested.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4824.jpg

This is Jeff Chochon getting ready to make his first run in the MKII.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4823.jpg

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Jeff Burns brought the family up to the test site for the day. We got Jeff strapped into the MKII for a run.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4828.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4829.jpg

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Jeff's wife Jenny also strapped in for a couple runs. Jeff and Jenny each tok a turn driving both the MKI and MKII Scuderia Kouba cars. This is Jenny in the MKII.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4830.jpg

Lined up and ready to roll. I think they may have enjoyed it........

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4831.jpg

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The test site we have been using is a good smooth section of road with very little traffic. There are good places to get tow vehicles off the road with space to unload. It was a beautiful day...........most of the day....

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4827.jpg

This is what it looks like with me stuffed into the MKII. It is a very tight fit. Chris pretty much built this car around me. Once belted in I am literally part of the car. It is a weird feeling!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4832.jpg

I must say Chris can really drive! I couldn't stay with him on our two downhill runs! Not to mention he looks better in the car!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4833.jpg

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Chris and I lined up for a run on the test hill, and YES, he waxed me!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4834.jpg

It was great to have the Burns family on the hill with us!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4836.jpg

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After the test runs we stopped for lunch in Cascade Locks. It was not the end of the day's adventures!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4837.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4838.jpg

Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program

Do you suppose in such a small car rolling downhill that Chris might have a slight weight advantage?  That is to say your car could be big boned.

"Big Smooth"