Re: Worlds Fastest Pickup

[alex@ravenet.com (Alex C. Green)]

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> From: Mitchell D. Murray <MitchellMurray@compuserve.com>
> To: unknown <syty@gunther.infohwy.com>
> Subject: Worlds Fastest Pickup
> Date: Thursday, February 20, 1997 2:29 AM
> 
> On Thu, 20 Feb 1997 01:01:48 -0500,
> Alex C. Green, alex@ravenet.com wrote in part:
> 
> >Does anyone have any info or article reprints on the Gale Banks prepped
> >Syclone LSR that back around '90-91 set the world land speed record for
the
> >fastest truck running at Boneville @210mph?
> 
> I am not sure of all the details, it has been a few years, but I think
the
> truck that set the record around '90-91 at
> Boneville at about 210mph was not a Syclone and it was not Gale Banks
prepared.

Depends who you ask.  Ask GMC, and they'll tell you it's a proto Sy.  In
reality you're correct though.  It's not a Sy, but a RWD S-10 extended cab
with some Sy looking ground effects.  It was definitely Gale Banks that did
the motor work.  Could possibly even have some work from Katech if I'm not
mistaken.  I dunno.

> It was a two-wheel-drive extended cab (with the extra room in back of the
front
> seats and the little windows on the sides behind the door windows)
> GMC S-15 with a normally aspirated (un-blown) 300 cubic inch V-6.

Correct.  It also had a funky and sophisticated cooling system that took up
the entire bed.   This puppy was HOT!

> The engine used was based on a Chevy bow tie 90 degree V-6 cast iron
siamesed block
> with 3.75inch stroke and 4.125inch bore.

I believe it was a 5.0L V-6.  Too bad it's not a production motor.  Or is
it?  Anyone know?

> It used Chevy splayed-valve aluminum heads and short individual injector
stacks.
> The driver was a guy named something like "Don Stringfellow".  The Truck
was
> prepared at the direction of GMC motor sports.

Right.  Don Stringfellow was the driver.  GMC Motorsports was the driving
force and promotional authority here, but Gale Banks Engineering had a lot
to do with it as well.  I spoke to them recently.  :-)  They wouldn't give
out any info though.  :-(

> This engine was later used in a different new-body-style two-wheel-drive
> GMC pickup that went on tour with the NHRA drag racing series and did
> exhibition runs during breaks in the program.  
> It was also prepared at the direction of GMC motor sports.
> I think it turned in the low 10's to high 9's, on gas, normally aspirated
> (no blower).  The truck was lightened and the engine was supposed to put
> out about 700 hp (not bad for 300 cubic inches, on gas, un-blown).

I wonder what it would do had this very same motor been given the Stokes
treatment?  :-)  Probably put out like maybe 900-1200HP?  :-)

> I looked through my old magazines to try to find some articles on these
trucks but
> I could not find them.
> I remember that "Don Stringfellow" (or some name similar),

Don Stringfellow was definitely the driver.  Although I'm sure most of us
(at least me) wish it was each and every one of us behind the wheel instead
of Don.  :-)  Sorry Don.

> who actually drove the LSR record truck, wrote in to the Winstorm advisor
to talk
> about the LSR truck and to point out that it was not a Syclone, and his
comments
> were published in one of the first few issues of
> the Winstorm advisor.  I could not find my copy of the issue - it's
packed away
> in a box somewhere.
> Maybe some of the other mail list members can add some more information.
> 
> Mitch Murray

Thanks for your input Mitch.

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Alex C. Green
1992 GMC Typhoon #1153 (Green/Gray)
1997 Subaru Legacy GT (Red)
1992 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 (Black)
Hockessin, Delaware
E-Mail: alex@ravenet.com
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