LUVTruck.com

I have two edresses: firstgun@mac.com
I'm registered (username) as first200mphluv

Re: 1978 Chev. Luv (California Step-side Option). Racing it for 25 years. Was on the street and legal with a 400 small-block Chev. for 3 yrs. Best time at 1/4 mile Carlsbad Raceway was low 11's in the 120's MPH--little 9 inch "slicks". We drove it to El Mirage Dry Lakebed in 1983, and ran a 162MPH through the mufflers as my partner was a So. Cal. Timing Assn. member; I was soon to join.

My racing partner and I are land-speed racers, i.e., El Mirage Dry Lake (elevation 2800 ft.) and members of Southern California Timing Assn., and Bonneville Nationals, Inc (elevation 4300 ft.). After taking the Luv off the street and replacing the suspension, to include a huge lead-tray under the bed, we became more and more serious as the little Luv came in 2nd in S.C.T.A. points for the entire 1986 racing season. We hold have held and continue to hold numerous records on the dirt at at El Mirage Dry Lakebed (about 20 miles south of Edwards AFB visit the records links on the SCTA/BNI website for proof of our records (Car # 407), and are presently chasing the "C"Mid/Mini Pickup Bonneville record of 205MPH. Last August during "Speed Week" we ran a 204 with a sick motor on the five mile course--close but no cigar. The years before we ran a 206MPH with a 302 cu. in. small block "D" motor, normally aspirated on gasoline only for a new record which still stands. Our new 370 inch "C" motor dyno'ed close to 900 h.p. and is ready for another Bonneville "C" displacement run on the current 205 record next month.

I'll continue to share this info as questions arise, and there is 25 years of it; however, we were the first mini-truck to go over 200mph on nitrous at the wet-salt of Bonneville in 1987 after a rain storm that left a foot of water in the pits-- Bob Duncan drove [that's me], my racing partner Bob Jucewic builds the motors, and is also a very proficient and calm high-speed driver, as we are both licensed to drive these speeds and then some. This 204 MPH pass was not easy to do in 1987 with a 302 Chevy Bowtie on 4 miles of slippery wet salt--the 5th mile had been rained out. The 204MPH was an average of the 4th mile--our actual terminal velocity was closer to 210 mph. It was still picking it up at four miles; one more mile would have produced yet more speed. At that time I ran a 3.25 to 1 "Ford 9 inch pumpkin" fully locked with a spool. Our rear-ends are open today because it easier to turn and manuever in the pits while still hooking up on most course--conditions are always changing as most racers know. I personally prefer the spool, although it can cause a shorter wheel-based vehicle to move around more on dirt and wet salt, it's also easier to drive out of spins instead of having to rely on parachutes to straighten you out as much. Every combination is different, therefore there is no "one" solution or perfect set-up to so many different applications--speaking only for our sport of Land Speed Racing of course.

"Harry" best describes that '87, 204MPH ride. However; at times we've been very close to spinning out, the 1978 Luv has never been all the way around. It's always done what was expected of it, most importantly breaking speed-records. The majority of these records were accomplished without aerodynamic assistance or changes--stock on the outside.

This is the Luv's last racing season. It once hauled groceries, and took kids fishing, camping, etc., but now hauls. Period. I think I'm writing and racing for the right people--Luv afionados. Wish us luck, it has the beans to go well over 210MPH according to our drag-cooeffient estimates vs. horsepower. Now we have to do it--big difference between the "talking" and the "doing". Thanks for listening, and best wishes.
Bob Duncan (Luv truck #407) of the Jucewic (pronounced Juswick) Duncan race team.

Welcome.. I believe you have the white LUV many of us have seen in a magazine or two. That's a sweet truck and thanks for the additional info on it. All we ever see is an exterior shot with no real info.

Thanks for the reply. It's nice to know that our Luv, rehabed for high-speed racing in a San Fernando Valley backyard, is appreciated. We don't earn money for our racing, just trophies and some ink for rewards. We Luv speed. The Luv has loved breaking records throughout most of its lifetime for 25 years. There were some pretty dangerous times that it brought us through--it's a survivor--Luv owners/enthusiasts are too. Right now, it's race-ready, and is an animal. Fingers crossed for August 2006 Bonneville Speed Week.
Thank you,
Bob Duncan

I have an old Truckin (I think) with an article on that truck. Very nice.
I take the kids dirt bike riding at El Mirage all the time. I like when we are there the same time as the SCTA guys are. It's crazy how fast they go!

Welcome to the site and please keep us updated. And good luck!

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OK, I'm over it. Where's the beer?

Good luck Bob, we are all behind you.

Chad

Do you happen to know Mike Cook from racing El Mirage? I race sprint cars with him in Ventura.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

To: Luvrv8: The Mike Cook I'm aware of is the son of the infamous "Cookie" Cook who sadly passed away a couple years ago. They ran the "Stone, Woods and Cook" Blown Hemi Studebaker Coupe back in the '60's at Lions Drag Strip and many othe 1/4 mile events--quite a show against "Big John Mazmanian". I'm guessing, but I believe the car is in one of the "Halls of Fame" museums as well it should be, but I remember it showing up at special events and car shows not two many years ago. SCTA's Mike Cook could probably be reached through the SCTA web-site. He's been active politically and racing in our SCTA and Bonneville orgs. for decades--breaking numerous records, but I wouldn't put it past him to strap on a "Sprint Car" either, at one time or another. After all, the speeds we are moving at in the dirt make it almost as exciting as Sprint Cars. I grew up in 1/4 midgets, TQ's and Luv the dirt because it's so unpredictable. My older brother Ted Duncan raced some of the first small-block Chevies against the Offys at the end of the '50's and early '60's. He ran the Phoenix dirt mile in GMC dirt roadsters for a few years during Billy Cantrell, Allen Heat and even A.J. Foyt's days.

At up to and over 300MPH on dirt at El Mirage, it's more than reminescent of Sprint Car driving at times. The Lakesters (look and are similar in construction as Top Fuel 1/4 milers, have been going over 300mph since 1990 when Carr and Kaplan ran a 306. It's just so hard to hook up--Mother Nature has control over the course. With that said the 1.3 mile El Mirage [SCTA] course is actually more of a drag race. If the rear-end gear is too tall or low, horsepower is just being thrown away. The traps come up faster than most "Rookies" realize. Bonneville's another story--another ride with some extra problems depending on course conditions--sound familiar? In 5 miles, it hard to keep a motor together for so long--nowhere else does engine-heat accumulate in such a quick way.

When you run Ventura, "keep the shiny-side up" as the adage goes. I miss "Ascot".----Bob Duncan

Hey First200mphluv, Ever heard of a guy that used to run a blue Studebaker at El Mirage and Bonneville named Mike Woodward, of D&J Auto Parts Whittier, Ca.? I know he raced in the early 1980's but doesn't any more.

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OK, I'm over it. Where's the beer?

I did some checking with a friend of mine, this guy is the real deal. He is in the "dirty 2 club". Now tell us about the Monza as well. By the way, there are 3 Mike Cooks out there, my friend is known as "jelly bean". The info I got on you was from a tech guy out there.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.