VR columnist Mark Brinker was at it again in his 750-cc Deutsch Bonnet HBR-5 during Bonneville Speed Week 2009. This year Team BoneEvil started the meet with several unexpected mechanical problems including a damaged gas tank, a broken carburetor jet, a dead engine timing gun and major gearbox problems. Chief mechanic Greg Lucas and ace Mark Evans refused to let the string of disasters get the best of them. One by one they fought back each calamity and got Brinker out racing on the first day of the meet. The team benefited from the help of several visitors with Panhard experience including Don Racine, Jean-Pierre Molerus and John Peterson.
Following a few test runs, Brinker bettered his 2008 record of 93.994 mph with a qualifying run of 95.080 mph. His next morning back-up run of 93.045 mph pushed the new record to 94.062 mph. Unsatisfied, Lucas and Evans spent the rest of the meet re-jetting the Mikunis, advancing the engine timing and dialing in various Panhard “speed secrets.” The result was nothing less than spectacular as Brinker posted a qualifying run of 96.117 mph and a back-up run of 96.015 mph for a new two-way record of 96.006 mph.
Having squeezed all the juice out of the tiny twin, Lucas and Evans then fitted the car with larger tires and Brinker pushed the car to its best ever run of 97.724 mph. With the back-up run of 95.643 mph Brinker’s GT/J record now stands at 96.683 mph.
Next year the team is aiming to break the century mark. They also have their eye on a 750-cc supercharged record.
