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| One year from Start to Salt In August 2001 Ted Allan joined Don Siewert on a visit to Bonneville Speed Week 2001. Don had been looking for a builder to infect with the Bonneville Bug since 1998, Ted was blown away by the atmosphere of Speed Week and immediately teamed up with Don to make "North of 49" a reality. On their return from the salt they began work on the Roadster Pickup that by the following August would make a 158 MPH maiden pass. |
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We can do this!
A trip to Bonneville Speed Week's 50th anniversary in 1998 kindled a dream in Don Siewert, to someday race there. The dream smoldered in Don until 2001 when he introduced Ted Allan to the Salt and reality's flame took over. Working together Don, a retired auto body man and current high school teaching assistant, and Ted, a skilled race chassis fabricator and proprietor of Allan Rod & Custom, surrounded themselves with like minded individuals from Calgary's rodding community. Ken Gilmour a rodder with an extensive history in the Calgary racing scene would supply the engine. Gary Savage president of Calgary's Foothills Street Rod Association and owner/operator of a National Transmission shop would build and supply the race prepped Turbo 350 transmission. Dave Ness of Nesstronics Ink Publishing would supply the ignition and wiring. John Radermacher, Bryan Long, Mike Siewert, and a host of other contributors would help to fund and support the project. In October of 2001 they began the "North of 49" project in earnest.
Initially "North of 49" was to be a two year project, with it's first runs to be held on the Bonneville Salt Flats during Speed Week 2003. Thanks to the generous support of the Calgary community, and due to the incredible design and fabrication skills of Allan Rod & Custom, the car was ready to make it's maiden voyage to the salt for Speed Week 2002.
