Well considering that the extra weight eats up approx. 1/2 of that HP advantage, and no matter how aerodynamicly tweaked they say the new front is. It still depends on where the end of areodynamics cross with peak power, or some BS like that. Oh yea & since this is on a Big oval in one tall standing truck maybe how big the rookies Ba!!s are

Any one know when this is going to happen?

 

I would be interested in hearing the results of this attempt. Of course if they don't make it, I'm sure there will be no word of it. The SRT-10 definitely has the power to do it, but as previously stated, it's also pulling extra weight, and has the aerodynamics of a schoolbus. I seriously doubt that truck hits 150mph. Anyone who's taken their Lightning to that speed knows it's easy to get to 120-130, but once you hit that mark, it takes a while for the truck to push through the air to 150. And remember, the Lightning is DRAG LIMITED. That means it has the power to pass 147, but the body stops it from accelerating furthur at the stock power level. The Dodge is a literal BRICK of aerodymanics. It's way higher off the ground, so it's going to catch lots of underbody air, the grill and hood scoop are going to act like a parachute, and you know the rear spoiler is more for looks than function. I bet that truck is going to throw itself around pretty good at high speed. And I still don't think it's going to hit 150.

 

it's next week , and we have the phone number and email of the writer, so we should be able to get the results, either way,



January 30, 2004

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Gaughan set for land speed record attempt
Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at bh@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4089.


•••

After spending two full seasons in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Brendan Gaughan is used to driving a truck at high speeds.

But even Gaughan admits he will be slightly out of his element next week when he attempts to set a land speed record for a stock production pickup truck at the Chelsea Proving Grounds in Michigan.

Driving a 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 powered by a Dodge Viper engine, Gaughan will attempt to break the record of 147 mph set last August by a Ford SVT F-150 Lightning.

"The speed they told me that we have to do -- even I was nervous," Gaughan, a NASCAR Nextel Cup rookie, said Thursday. "It's a stock pickup truck, right off the factory line. The record is 149 or something like that and we're going to beat that ... and I've been told we'll beat it very easily.

"This truck is coming off the factory line, so I'm putting a lot of faith in what Dodge does but it's going to prove how good a truck they're building and we're going to prove the SRT-10 is the baddest pickup out there."

To qualify for the record and certification by Guinness World Records, the truck must be identical to what a customer can find at a local Dodge dealer. Gaughan's speed will be measured over a kilometer, and the record speed is derived from an average of his speeds in both directions on the 4.71-mile, high-speed oval.

"For six-tenths of a mile, I have to hold whatever speed it is we're trying to hit," Gaughan said. "Right now, another manufacturer holds the stock production truck record and we're going to make the Dodge Ram SRT-10, the new Dodge with the Viper motor, the fastest production pickup truck.

"I'm just praying for a nice sunny day -- a crisp sunny day -- up in Chelsea, Michigan, because you don't want to be doing it on snow tires."


__________________

 

It will NEVER, I say Never..... Fcking do it

 

I thought Dodge was claiming a top speed of 153 mph. Or was that one of their weak 'rules of five?'

 

If they get it to 150mph, they have to do it again in order to get an average of the 2 which what the judges go on.

The L got 147.974 and 147.454 to make an average of 147.714

 

LOL glad to see he knows whats going on. I think the thing might hit 141 maybe.

LOL we'll see. If they dont make it we can rub that in the face of every SRT guy we can find.

Ray

 

I am sure it will hit something, but not a speed record…

 

I am gonna hold my breath till this is over. I hope it doesnt do it but it just might. :o

 

Gang:

Please don't get me started. Two important facts for you all...

1) Weight has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with top speed. If your Lightning was made from forged lead, it would still top out at around 150 MPH. Only aerodynamic drag (which is determined by frontal area and drag coefficient), the engine's power curve, and air density (and viscosity) are the only significant factors that come into play.

2) Most powered vehicles without a speed governor are drag limited. In the absence of an electronic nanny, the only other possibility would be gearing limited, and these days (the era of one or even two overdrive gears and CAFE fuel mileage laws) makes it very unlikely to run out of gear (redlined in top gear) befor drag clamps down on the action. For example, my POS 17-second 1992 Grand Prix is geared to pull 172 MPH in top gear.

 

Uhhh... No

If that were true then none of the Salt Flats gys would be using high tech light materials. Yes they concentrate on arrow shapes BUT the weight IS a BIG factor as well.

All other things being equal - If you add 500 lbs to the vehicle its abilty to reach and sustain a top speed IS affected.....

My $0.02

 

Totally wrong. As long as you had tires to support the weight, it would not affect top speed at the least. Look up the equations and convince yourself.

What WILL be affected by weight is acceleration (up to the top speed). Unless you have an unlimited run-up (or a closed-loop oval like the Ford record was set on), wight will hurt your attempt, because you'll run out of course quicker. Bonneville is a straight course around (if I remember correctly) 10 miles or so in length, ending abruptly into the side of a mountain.

Given an infinitely long salt flat, Mr. Breedlove could pour Spirit Of America full of mercury and not pay the penalty, as long as his tires and the track could support the hundred-or-so-tons.

I know it "seems like" it should factor in, but it doesn't. Top speed is achieved when engine output is exactly balanced by drag (basically aerodynamic drag). Nowhere in the equation does mass appear.

 

I wonder why Dodge would try to get this certified in the record book, without informally trying it themselves. My money's on they've already done it, now they want it certified.

 

I don't claim to be a physics expert, but I don't buy that one. It takes a certain amount of power to move a certain amount of weight, AND it takes a certain amount of power to push through the air. Weight and drag both require hp comsumption.

Going on your explaination, that would mean if you took a 190mph Hiyabusa and made it weigh 5000 lbs, it would still reach 190 mph given unlimited distance. I don't buy that for a second.

 

I predict an avg of 151mph.

And Doug, weight really has VERY LITTLE to do with this type of high speed record. On the salt flats they only have a limited amount of distance (on loose salt) to attain thier speed. So they are reducing mass 75% for acceleration pourposes.

Rich