http://www.scta-bni.org/ Racer info: BNI Incident 8/14/06 on right side.

For Release: August 14, 2006

GM Engineer is Safe and Sound after Bonneville Speed Week Incident

WENDOVER, Utah – GM engineer and driver Jim Minneker is in good condition after an incident at the Bonneville Salt Flats today while making a qualifying run in the Chevy So-Cal HHR.
Minneker was beating the previous record of 226.835 in the G/BFCC class (G Class/Blown Fuel Competition Coupe) with a qualifying run of 246.686 mph when the HHR lost traction after parachute deployment at the five mile mark of the long course. The vehicle’s terminal speed at the time was 249.793 mph.
Minneker was able to walk away from the incident with nothing more than a stiff neck.
“We take any kind of racing very seriously, and the safety of our race drivers is always of paramount importance,” said GM Performance Division Executive Director Bob Kruse. “GM’s technology, equipment and procedures for racing are world class and today’s incident is a prime example. The special structure of the HHR was outstanding, and it performed exactly as it was intended for this ultra high speed type of incident.”
Fabricated at the So-Cal Speed Shop by Robin “Silky” Silk and Paul Rivera, the HHR’s specialized tubular chassis was inspired by the Pro Mod chassis used in drag racing and patterned after some of the top fuel drag racers in the world.
Per Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) and Bonneville Nationals Incorporated (BNI) rules, when an on-course incident of this nature occurs, the vehicle becomes the property of the sanctioning committee until a thorough assessment and tech inspection of the vehicle can be completed.
A technical committee made up of SCTA-BNI inspectors and officials, and GM and So-Cal representatives will determine what happened and will make whatever recommendations might be appropriate.
# # #
Phil Colley
GM Performance Division Communications
Ph: 586.492.2302
Email: phil.colley@gm.com

...of the Bonneville HHR crash (thanks to Landracing.com):

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/1/5/4/6/HHRcrash1.jpg

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/1/5/4/6/HHRcrash2.jpg

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/1/5/4/6/HHRcrash3.jpg

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/1/5/4/6/HHRcrash4.jpg

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/1/5/4/6/HHRcrash5.jpg

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/1/5/4/6/HHRcrash6.jpg

HOLY BAT SHIZIT MAN...!!!

I'm glad the driver is ok... that looks like it was an interesting ride...

Hey everybody! I'm OK, I'm OK. :thumb:

Just wanted to quell the fears...:lol:

Man, that looked like a FUN ride. I'd do that if I knew it wouldn't hurt.:lol: :lol:

WOW..Hey Oldschool could this actually be footage of you rolling the woody...Seriously it is good to hear that the driver is okay, amazing how much safety can be built into a vehicle built to withstand the forces of racing...and crashing!

WOW thats one for the HHR record books

Hey everybody! I'm OK, I'm OK. :thumb:

Just wanted to quell the fears...:lol:

Yeah when I seen the thread my first thought was I hope Mike was ok

And Mike said he only goes 108..... Right Mike??:roll: :D

Hey everybody! I'm OK, I'm OK. :thumb:

Just wanted to quell the fears...:lol:

I think he hurt his foot though! (in another incident)

Yeah when I seen the thread my first thought was I hope Mike was ok
That was the first thing I thought when I saw this as well. I was like...now what has Mike been testing now? Glad to hear the guy came out pretty much unscathed.

And Mike said he only goes 108..... Right Mike??:roll: :D

On the highway Deb...on the highway! ;)

On the highway Deb...on the highway! ;)
That wasn't me Mike...that was another orange HHR owner that said that about going 108. :lol:

You guys (gals), all look the same to me! :lol:

just out of curiosity, mike are u associated w/ that socal @ all or just that both of you are in SoCal?

wow glad hes okay

Plutos not a planet anymore?

Plutos not a planet anymore?

Never was... the only reason it was ever called a planet was because it was the only rock discovered by an American. Scientific vanity or ego or whatever...

Plutos not a planet anymore?

I just realized that I posted that in the wrong thread.

just out of curiosity, mike are u associated w/ that socal @ all or just that both of you are in SoCal?

Not associated. We are both based in SoCal though.

They mainly do Hot Rod parts - not HHR parts.

We do just HHR parts - not Hot Rod Parts! :D

My HHR is a Hot Rod to me!

My HHR is a Hot Rod to me!

Well said Sindy! Mine too!

My HHR is a Hot Rod to me!

Well said Sindy! Mine too!

I third that.

Why is the car so long? What kind of engine did they use.?

Why is the car so long? What kind of engine did they use.?
the car is not long, it has a chopped top. It had a supercharged Ecotech 4

Glad to hear and see that everyone is safe and ok!