A group of Nelson men aiming to set a new speed record in Bonneville have gained support from Mini New Zealand.
In August this year, the group of Nelson motoring enthusiasts will attempt to set a new land speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats. The team, campaigning under the name ‘Project 64,’ set the current land speed record of 236km/h for their class of Mini Cooper S in 2012.
This year they are returning to the Salt with the goal of beating their own record and reach 280km/h.
The Project 64 team, the name a nod to the year of manufacture of the Mini, as well as the New Zealand country calling code, will aim to set the record during a week of timed runs on the legendary salt flats at Bonneville Speed Week.
By also running on Methanol and making changes to the car during the week to fit other classes, they will attempt to break three other records.
“Bonneville has seen some Kiwi legends perform on the world stage in years gone by and we’d love to emulate the success of these iconic characters,”said Guy Griffith, project co- founder and crew chief.
“This started as an item on our bucket list of motor sport events to attend and, as more people heard about it in 2012, it very quickly grew into a full-on assault on a long-standing record. We could have done it in something more modern and better suited to going fast in a straight line, but where’s the fun in that?”
Garry Orton, project cofounder and team logistics manager, says some would say that becoming the world’s fastest classic Mini at Speed Week in 2012 would have been enough.
“But we know we can make this little car go much faster. The salt gets into your blood too, so we feel we have to go back, fly the New Zealand flag, and show the world how great this Mini is.”
The team is after more sponsorship to help them reach their goal, but have already partnered up with Mini New Zealand, Maersk Line, Total Lubricants and the World of Wearable Art and Collectable Cars Museum.
To support their journey visit the project64 givealittle page.
