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"When I stage with the handbrake, I turn the
pre-stage light on, push the button, and the
air solenoid on the clutch goes out and holds
the clutch in at a precise point. Once I hit
the button, I take my foot off the clutch and
let the solenoid hold it," Wilder explains.
"Then, on the air throttle, it goes to the floor
and I've got it set at 4,000 rpm. So, I'm on
the floor [with my right foot] and I've got
my foot off the clutch and it's all being held
by air. Then I hold it still with the handbrake,
and when the light goes, I let go of the brake
and the button and the clutch is released and
the throttle slams wide open, all at the same
time."
The air bottle that handles the clutch and
throttle also provides pneumatic pressure to
release the car's Stroud Safety chute after
each pass. Wilder says it also makes the chute
much easier to pack since there's no spring
to compress while tying it off. "There's lots
of labor-saving devices on this car. We're older
gentlemen, so we need all the help we can get,"
he jokes.
A voltmeter mounted beside the parachute
allows Wilder's crewmembers to know there's
battery power available for start-up before
each pass. |
In the cockpit, Auto Meter gauges keep tabs
on all the vital signs and Wilder installed
an I-Did-It tilt steering wheel column, originally
intended as a street rod piece. "It's just a
really unique car and we like to be different,"
he says. "But we've really been shocked by the
welcome we've had for the car and how much people
seem to just love it. Even if they're a fan
of somebody else, everybody likes the Rambler.
"What the fun part is, is to watch people come
up and talk about it and try to figure out what
it is. Before we put the Rambler license plate
on it they'd stand around and talk for 10 or
15 minutes sometimes, until finally, they'd
designate someone to come up to us and ask ,
'What is that?' We have a lot of fun with it."
So far, the hemi-powered
Rambler has made a best pass of 4.75 seconds
at 157 mph over the 1/8-mile.
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SPECS
Owners: John Jenrette and Blake
Wilder
Driver: Blake Wilder
Hometown: Marietta, GA
Car: 1966 Rambler American
Chassis builder: Sheppard Race
Cars
Engine: 526 c.i. hemi
Engine builder: Pro-Line Racing
Engines
Supercharger: RCD 14-71 high helix
Heads: Alan Johnson
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Cam: Comp Cams
Pistons/Rods: Venolia/Brooks
Crank: Sonny Bryant
Oiling: Systems 1
Ignition: MSD Mag 44
Headers/Muffler: Homebuilt
Transmission: Lenco
Clutch: Crower (3 discs)
Shifter: B&S Racing Products
Differential: Pro Gear/Mark Williams
aluminum housing
Rear gear ratio: 3.50:1
Axles: Mark Williams
Wheelbase: 106 inches
Brakes: Wilwood
Parachute: Stroud (air-activated)
Wheels/Tires: Bogart/Hoosier
Gauges: Auto Meter
Seats: Cobra
Steering column: I-Did-It
Best time/Speed (1/8 mile):
4.75 at 157 mph |
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