Flat Out
by Mary West
Reprinted from Goodguys Magazine

The Green Machine

Don McBride of McBride and Moreau, tells that his racing and street rodding began when he was 10 years old and saw his first Track Roadster. He still has the '40 Ford coupe that he owned at 14. As Don puts it, "it's why I'm a Goodguys member along with my wife and her '55 Chevy 2-Door Hardtop."

Don has been in the body repair, painting and street rod building business for 45 years... 1991 was his first time at Bonneville with his long time friend Laurie Moreau and his son Terry. From the moment they returned from the Salt, the plan, the dream and the work began.

Bench racing led to the drawing board which happened to be the floor and an outline of son Terry's body. As he propped his head up on a pillow to determine the best driving position, the shape of the car would begin to form around the driver. This new team began with a mission and a statement, They wanted to be known for craftsmanship, sportsmanship, and outstanding performance on and off the track. With work, time and money the car was off to a great start. A ZX-10 Kawasaki engine at 999.32 cc fills the engine compartment that is part of the overall 22-foot missile. Weight has to be kept to a minimum, and Terry's Engineering and Fabrication kept it at 1,260 lbs. The team planned on running both gasoline and fuel classes by adding nitrous.

What began as a dream of Laurie Moreau some 40 years before when he and his wife spent their honeymoon on the Salt Flats began to take form. And then the team had a staggering blow when Laurie died half way through the project.

Terry says he not only lost his dad, but his best friend and teacher. Mom Moreau, along with Terry and Don McBride took a long, hard look at what lay ahead and decided that Laurie, would have wanted the car completed.

Several months later they attacked the project with a vengeance. By September 1995 they had a rolling chassis and decided it was time to visit the Salt Flats to get some expert advice from other competitors.

After four years and 4000-hours work, the team of McBride &Moreau was off to the Salt for the adventure of a lifetime. The first obstacle was when Don became ill and they had to make a trip to the hospital in Salt Lake City.

Undaunted, they returned to the salt and with about 10 minutes running time on the engine, Terry was off on what he describes as a fantastic run and found that he had broken the existing record and had some 90-minutes to make the return run. That run was the magic 200 mark and an average of 199.327. Terry says, "What better way to honor my father's memory than a land speed record on the first attempt.

Terry, who had spent his life racing drag bikes and motocross was now a part of Land Speed Racing. His 10 years as Northwest Technical Director for Dragbike USA all contributed to his engineering and technical skills. Nineteen Ninety-Seven was a rewarding year for Terry and Don as they both set records and got into the 200 MPH Club on the same day. They ran 215.028 in the gas class and 224.824 in the fuel class.

The car has been featured in numerous publications and as a head-liner for Salem, Oregon's World of Wheels car show. It was presented with several awards including 1st in Competition Class, Best Comp. Interior, Best Comp. Engine Compartment and Outstanding Engineering Award in three separate shows.

During the October World Finals on the Bonneville Salt Flats, Don McBride set another record of 216.999 in the I/Gas Streamliner class. Don is a laid back kind of guy who has known Terry most of his life. Terry is a bundle of energy and drive. This team has fulfilled its mission statement, and is an example of the brightest and best that Land Speed Racing has to offer.