Taste of Salt

Eric McClain's raced for several decades and won several championships in different forms of racing. After reaching such a pinnacle one would wonder what was next! McClain in the late ninety's took his then circle track vintage modified to the Salt Flats to see truly how fast he could make it run. There isn't a class for this car so he ran for time only. For several years he amazed many veteran Land speed racers with how fast he was able to get his small block, flat top piston, cast iron production head engine to push a poorly aerodynamic vintage modified. Needless to say he became bitten with the bug for all out speed. This bug bite began the vision of a car that could run in special construction classes of lakester and streamline.

In early part of 2000's Eric along with several racing friends finished building the swamp witch. The car would be a very long tubular chassis with a slender aerodynamic design that could be used with large or small engines. Dean Conway, a prior Nascar crew chief and short track racer designed the independent front end and assisted with much of the cars construction. The car originally started in the A/Gas Lakester class with a big block Chevy. With a big Thank you to the volunteer team of Pam Bennet, David Hyder, Josh Stange, David Trap, Tom Jensen, Dean and Shane Conway; Eric was able to go 218MPH.

After a few years of development and some influence from others Eric had the interest in moving to the Streamliner Diesel class. Dean and Shane began the work to build fairings for the rear wheels making it legal to enter the class. The engine was also changed to a small cummins 4bt to officially enter the E/DS class. In 2009 Team Swampwitch brought home a new Land Speed Record for this Diesel Streamliner class at over 156MPH. They are looking to enter the 2010 Speedweek at the salt flats and move the record up. Best of luck to the Team.