Those that know me realise that I rarely discuss any of my drag projects publically until they are finished and have had at least one meeting under their belt (I am a believer of saying what it has done rether than what it "can do")

Over 15 years have lapsed since I drag raced the Red Manx so you may have to forgive or laugh at some of the inconsistencies of the times stated below. I believe this is due to old age
However for the "Dave Butler's" of the world, here are some figures
1st Run
R/T .179
60' 1.974
330 6.172
1/8 9.691
MPH 69.91
Km/h 112.51
1000 12.672
1/4 15.085
MPH 95.03
Km/h 152.94
(It helps to remove your finger from the line lock / MSD RPM chip button before putting the car in 4th gear 3 gears with the front wheels binding and 4800 rpm chip)

2nd Run
R/T .048 (is that OK Rod?)
60' 2.024
330 5.443
1/8 8.282
MPH 85.6
Km/h 137.76
1000 10.765
1/4 12.859
MPH 107.29
Km/h 172.67
(Bogged on start line - RPM set too low)

3rd Run
R/T .312 (thats what you get for looking down the track and not at the tree!!)
60' 2.018 (finger on button again throughout 1st gear)
330 5.837
1/8 8.691 ( exactly 1 second quicker than Run 1)
MPH 86.25
Km/h 138.81
1000 11.153
1/4 113.232
MPH 108.26 ****
Km/h 174.24

4th Run - This i decided was to be the last run of the day so ot had to be good
R/T .018 (getting better)
60' 1.735
330 5.055
1/8 7.820
MPH 88.06
Km/h 141.73
1000 10.239
1/4 12.291
MPH 109.46******
Km/h 176.16

Am I happy - (as Brad would say f**k yeah!!!)

As for pictures - Its hard enough driving it without taking photos as well!!!!!

Projects such as this you can't do alone so I would like to thank (amongst all the others)
Mike CBB
Boris and Co VVDS
Darren and Shane Letterart Signs and Graphics for the repeated attempts at getting the race numbers and style right
Andrew Dodd

See you at Warwick!!!

G'day Henry,

Well done on the first outing - you must be quite pleased with those numbers....I'm sure the consistency will return in no time (even with old age!).

Good stuff,
Al

Congrats on what sounds like a very successful outing!
7.80s top 8 material!?!
Warwick is going to be sensational...

..........awsome Henry and thanks for sharing

another living legend out there again, such exciting times!

great work Henry.... sounds like she will be a very nice and consistent caar when its all sorted.... cant wait to see it run at warwick. thanks for sharing and good luck with future progress...
cheers adam

Great to see you back at it Henry!
Thanks for all the run details!

What basic engine and trans does the car use?
Is it a Porsche motor? (he he)
Is it heavy?...how much power does it make?

Nice work! Just wondering why a lot of people run their line lock/2 steps off a button and not off a switch on the clutch which seems the more obvious way to do it to me?

good to see yr backside trackside today HS

I got some videos on my camera will pass to you next time

the car ran great

Thanks for all the supportive words

Basic engine specs are
Magnesium case - all tinware, oil cooling and alternator intact
Crank: 82mm Scat 2" Journals
Rods: Scat - short
Cam; Engle FK89
Rockers: 1.25 Autocraft needle roller
Heads: Street Eliminators 46mm x 38mm valves Berg VW dual springs
Exhaust 1 3/4" Make unknown using 2'' muffler
Carburettors: 2" IDA Webers (metric hadn't been invented when they were modified)

Car Weight (with Driver) 1735 lbs (787 kilo) - doesn't matter what it weighs alone as it never goes unless I am in it


Transmission - IRS Beetle - Rhino case

R/P: 3.78
1st: 3.78
2nd: 2.34
3rd: 1.59
4th: 1.21
Diff: Quaife - Kombi CV joints

The rest, you can see at WSID or Warwick

As for having a clutch pedal switch instead of a button,- location / leverage may make the switch quite touchy plus there would be nothing to blame bad performance or driver error on!!

Nice work.
Look forward to seeing it at Warwick.

I finally got to upload some pics for you Henry.

Nice to see you in the seat and looking forward to warwick.

Good work Henry.

Day of the Drags in March?
I reckon you'll get at least 15 passes of the quarter in one day!

Thanks (for everything) Darren At least yours are even!!!! - It's good to be sitting at the startline instead of standing - although I enjoy both!!!!!

Looks sweet Henry ! is that yellow oval No3 and Need to put on your henry wheels to. Thanks for putting up pic's .

Yes Pete - Third and (probably) last.As for the wheels, they have all gone to good homes and I have none left

Great work Henry,
Good to see you behind the wheel again.
Dave

Hello Henry
congrats on those numbers, that little car looks like a real class act.
You don't know me, but I'm looking forward to meeting all you guys at Warwick this year.
I do want to tell you that I race at Heathcote in Vic. a bit and last time I was there I met a gentleman named Graeme Cooper who owns one of Australia,s most famous drag cars the "Bricklayer" EH Holden. He was very interested in my Beetle and we got talking, he inquired about you and told me he had fond memories about racing against you. He actual dropped a lot of names including Dave Butler, he also wanted to know what had happened to the drag Beetle "Shrapnel" (will it be coming to Warwick David?)

MC

Nice one Henry. Car looks great and numbers run on the day shows it has the goods.


With the amount of seriously quick cars that should be in attendance at Warwick this year I'm thinking that the top 8 cut off will be something around 7.10 to 7.30 for sure!! Whether you are racing in it or not it will be awesome to watch!!

Brendan, The quick eight is far from my mind as the car wasn't designed or built to go quick and compete with the likes of the current top runners. It was built as a 12.80 super streeter with the ability and performaance margin of running all weather conditions (hot/cold) at ALL meetings including the fantastic Warwick / Portland and Jambouree events. I'm happy just to be there participating with a car at long last and having a few "grudge matches" with all my friends

Cool Oval, having fun and a just competing attitude.
Does it get better?
Turbo54

Mike,

I'm still going through Shrapnel from the ground up! The original roll-cage was aluminium, so that's my next major step to change this to mild steel to comply. Keith Poole and I have just recently finished a 3 inch rear torsion raise. All going well I'm hoping to have it ready for Portland 2011.

Henry, great to see you back on the track!! I look forward to catching up at Warwick, unfortunately only as a spectator this year. "Another" flat cam has killed my racing budget for this year!!

Cheers,
DO'C

i see that WSID must have known Henry was making a comeback and appropriately re-coloured the track to match his car

thats an awesome shot! looks like it launches nice and straight too