View attachment 303166
I remember that day...
1. The rocket was NEVER shortened.
2. The key switch band was added to the shoulder of the nosecone allowing me to reshape the nosecone shape slightly for what i felt was a smoother design.
3. All the body tubing was honed out inside to reduce mass.
4. Only (2) centering rings were used after being thinned to almost 1/16th of an inch in thickness.
5. The fins were thinned to almost half their original thickness.
6. Fins were tucked in and, laid back about 10 degrees steeper. Then knife edged front and, rear.
7. The Rail buttons were machined down and, the #8 button head screws were leveled after installation.
8. Minimize the shock cord length.
9. Tiny parachute.
10. The motor tube was swiss cheesed to reduce mass.
11. The Aeropac retainer was swiss cheesed to reduce mass at its shoulder.
12. All vent holes were minimized in size and, drilled on a 45 degree angle through tubing down to cut air resistance.
13. Two coats of paint, then wet sanded with 2000 grit...heavy coat of silicone wax.
and, the clincher-
14. Built a test AV bay board and, attached ALL SIX of my available Missile Works RRC2's. "Flew" the board in an altitude chamber at Purdue University (6) times up and, down and, recorded the readouts.
After several tests you find the board with the more "Optimistic" calibration. Not my doing...but, the hands of everyone who built the components for Jim to install on his product.
Approved by Wildman after the flight when i gave him a FULL rundown top to bottom of all the tricks i did ( some still not mentioned here...)
Had ALOT of people point their fingers at me and, whisper about this one but, then again how could a complete "unknown" walk in and, walk off with the grand prize.
Hurt me for along time. Have worn the dress more than a few times around this time...ran from "The Dress" once. I don't compete anymore mostly just hypothetically kid what i would attempt if i had a chance again. My record stands at (1) win and, (4) losses-
Gloves would come off and, i would really make it hurt (or at least try). IF THE RULES DO NOT SAY, YOU CAN'T DO THAT. You have to think like one of my hero's Smokey Yunick. He too came without a College degree but, what he did with his mind and, hands rocked the world not only in Nascar but Indy and, beyond.
By the way, Tim was already laughing his a$$ off before i even got to the bottom of the parachute tube on what i revealed to him behind his trailer after they announced the winner.
.
You ALMOST POKED MY EYE OUT!
