2011 Speedweek

Due to Team Swampwitch funding and lack of sponsorship the car was unable to make 2011 SPEEDWEEK. However, several team members made the voyage to the salt giving Steve Mallicoat a hand running the Mallo diesel roadster. This years team consisted of Steve Mallicoat, Dave Rau, Mike Clothier, Mike Sodon, Jerry Bristol and Eric and Pam McClain. “ I would call it a success while others might call it a failure” says swamp witch driver Eric McClain.
As we all know sometimes things just don’t work out on the salt the way things worked at home. Mallo racing 2011 roadster was no different. Steve and Dave had done their home work thru the off season rebuilding and running the Cummins 4bt on a dyno in Iowa. McClain met up with them at the salt on Saturday. After unloading, setting up the pit area and tech, racing began. The first pass the engine had just a tick to much water being injected so after downloading all the information the changes were made to reduce the water and on the next pass the engine started making a little to much power and spun the car around. Back to tech it went then back to the pits! Checked engine and made a few changes without noticeable results. The Roadster continued to have a problem with spinning out. Thankfully, Mike Clothier and all his circle track experience aided in squaring up the chassis assisted by Mike Sodon, Steve, Jerry, and Dave. Caster and the rear weight changes helped the car progress as did the week.
Steve decided that it would be a real good idea to start using the chute and become comfortable with the feel of it. This would also make Jerry Bristol a chute packing expert. Jerry can now pack a chute in about 2 min. Now that has to be some kind of record in itself? With the car having Gobs of Cummins Power and going straighter, Steve became more confident but the race week came to a close. No huge speeds were attained but success was found in making this car go straight and having the traction and the ability to handle the power that this little 4bt Cummins puts out. Till next year!

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