Bolivia 2025

[TrickyDicky]

I don't do FB either, but it is possible to see the most recent post without signing in.  Latest (today) is:

Fantastic to have some crew arriving back to Uyuni from New Zealand this week, along with new crew and FIA.
CRM have been in Uyuni since first week of  September - and endured circumstances that have delivered three event postponements!
Kiwis never give up while there?s still a way forward! Its just a matter of finding a way!
Still short of people on the ground!
Still dramatically short of funds!
But going ahead anyway!
FIA record days 17-20th November!
Pre- event program in place between now and then.
Thank you for your ongoing support. Your generosity and support has resuscitated us and given us the confidence to recommit to these last chance new dates!

They are not currently saying anything about fuel, but a few days ago Joe Amo teased out that they were still waiting for the correct "racing fuel".

Reading between the lines, it appears:

• Still short of people and money, but will be able to go ahead with what they have
• Fuel shortage/unavailability could severely limit running
• Mentioned by no one, but there is likely to be rain in November

Photo shows Wairua 2 - two of the four driven wheels.

[racergeo]

  They just did a successful test run of that car. No mention of how fast, but must have shifted etc.  Fingers crossed

[desotoman]

Latest update on donation page.

Tom G.

Count down to FIA record setting    12 November 2025

A few key team members who had to return home are arriving back in to Uyuni each day this week???. The pressure is on to complete the test program in next few days - particularly the streamliners!

As you know we lost the fourth container in transit and the replacing the missing contents has been a challenge. Our Team are literally creating magic everyday in terms of problem solving. Thanks to you we have been able to

Fly back FIA officials for the race days next week! We are proceed in flynin good faith that we will eventually raise the shortfall we need to pay all our event generated costs and get everything back home!

Thank you for being part of our team. We greatly appreciate your support! If you are not already - please follow us on Facebook:CMR Bolivia

That is where we will post results as they come to hand.

$36,815 donated, Given by 202 generous donors in 15 days.

[desotoman]

Latest update.
Tom G.

Two sleeps to go!   15 November 2025

New Team members still arriving in daily ahead of FIA Record days 17/30 November. 🏎️🏎️🏎️

Welcome back to those original team members who have flown the 35 hour trip back! ✈️

Emergency funds still required to cover the 200k shortfall from multiple delays and the challenges of running an event in a developing country. 💲💲

Please and thank you 🙏🙏🙏in advance for spreading the word about our Give a Little Page ...........https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/world-records-to-be-set-by-cmr-kiwi-can-do-team

Two people staying overnight at base camp on the salt every night🥶🥶🥶

Course completed and ready for FIA approval 👌✅

Two more sleeps to go................😴😴

$38,710 donated
Given by 217 generous donors in 18 days.



CMR Bolivia
4h
?
✅Another Test day on the Salar de Uyuni!
✅Wairua 1 and Cookie ready to run.
✅Mini ready to start after part replacement yesterday
✅Wairua 2 tests in a day or two.
✅Team up to strong numbers again thanks to the addition of new skilled crew.
✅Stamina in Spades
✅CMR  Kiwicando alive and well.
Significant support still require to address our massive funding shortfall. Thanks all  in advance and THANKS to all who have already supported

CMR Bolivia updated their cover photo.
4h
?
Wairua 2 Successful 1st Test Run

[desotoman]

Some Dannenfelzers on the way, apparently.

Yes, two of Fred Dannenfelzer's relatives are in Bolivia helping.  :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

Tom G.

[desotoman]

Great interview with Reg Cook. 20 minutes long and very informative.

Tom G.

Latest update
Radio New Zealand Interview with Reg    16 November 2025

Yesterday?s interview with Radio New Zealand outlines the realities of this event. It?s worth the 20 minute listen to gain understanding and insight directly from Reg Cook .

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2019012886/reg-cook-the-fastest-senior-citizen-on-earth

[racergeo]

  I  listened to that interview and I heard a hint of Kiwi desperation. I'm sure Reg realizes why all the previous attempts in Bolivia have fallen short. He mentioned his age, being nearly 80, the financial challenges and of course the logistics of dealing with an unstable third world country. I won't be surprised if he has success with the three cars that have already proven themselves, but the Wairua 2 is relatively untested and just one little glitch could be a setback. hopefully enough crew will arrive to meet any challenges.
   
   Landspeed racing is such a small niche of the automotive racing hobby that I feel this is not just a "Kiwi Can Do" but a ""Geriatric can do event"". As a fellow old guy I'm pulling for him all the way.

[stay`tee]

I would challenge his comment about Uyuni being the "only" place in the world where he can get 18miles of hard smooth salt to go 500mph,,
Just across the ditch, approx 2200miles as the crow flys from his base in N'Zed, is Lake Gairdner, where, in 1994 Rossco McLashan  set the Australian Record at 500mph   

[desotoman]

Latest Post.

Tom G.


November 17, 2025
Its Going to Happen #220
WOO BLOODY HOO . Chasing FIA Records in Bolivia is going to happen !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Past

4 weeks ago this adventure was DEAD in its tracks.

Good news

Due to some Core CMR team returning & other Ring ins enormous effort. Also THANKS for the amazing response to Our fund raising CMR R still Just Breathing. We have heaps to go ? so we appreciate your ongoing help spreading the link.

https://givealittle.co.nz/?/world-records-to-be-set-by?

KIWI CAN DO Now chasing records in 1 days time.

Reality

Because of continuing mounting difficulties factors out of CMR control. Sadly we will get no days testing & only  2-1/4 days from 17th to 19th Nov event rather than the original 16 days planned back in October

.In the words of Steve Horne this has always been an OUTRAGEOUS ADVENTURE

But The Twist & turns of Difficulty & Betrayal have really tested the Resilience  / Tenacity of the remaining team. All involved will continue Jump hurdles in the next 24 Hours. Hope the weather holds & no more unforeseen Hurdles !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The CMR Chasing FIA records is still Alive

LONG LIVE KIWI CAN DO

HUMAN RESILIENCE

NEVER GIVE UP

[TrickyDicky]

A few additional words from the similar web site post:

Reality ? The Records we chase has to B reduced to what is practical in 2 days

1st cars to run will B Wairua 1 & Cookie weather & wind dependent

Testing runs with Wairua 2 & Mini will depend on time left / Wind & Weather

[desotoman]

Thanks TrickyDicky for adding that additional information. Here is the weather report for Bolivia Salt Flats.

Tom G.

10 Day Weather- Uyuni, Potos?, Bolivia
As of 1:22 pm GMT-04:00
Today
Day
65?
W 19 mph
Abundant sunshine. High near 65F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph.

Tue 18
Day
69?
11%
E 19 mph
Sunshine in the morning followed by cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 69F. E winds at 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 15 to 25 mph.


Wed 19
Day
68?
19%
E 17 mph
A mix of clouds and sun early, then becoming cloudy later in the day. High 68F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph.

I hope the wind does not create a problem for them like it did for Target 550 in Australia. Fingers crossed.

[ack]

The weather reports you get are from Uyuni airport, it is a good 70 - 80 miles from the track. They really don't have any relationship with the weather on the salt flats. In all the times we have been there, with a couple exceptions and for a short periods of time, we would typically have 3 - 5 mph winds at most equivalent to 1.5 to 3 at sea level.  With density altitude running as high as 16,000 feet wind force is 60% less than the same speed at sea level.

[desotoman]

Thanks Ack, appreciate the correction.

Tom G.

[TrickyDicky]

Wairua 1 ran 316 mph yesterday.  Easily faster than the records (254 mph for km by Phil Hill and 267 mph for mile by AJ Foyt), but broke the gearbox on the return run.

Also, "Cookie" set a record but below 200 mph.

Eventually after FIA officials & other dignitaries arrived. CMR Bolivia LSR 2025 started 1.30 pm

Brilliant ?

Wairua 1 2000 cc ? 1st on course chasing 254 Mph Record.

WOO BLOODY HOO ?

Low power test run on 30 % Powered to 510 Kph 334 Mph  ( New Reg PB ) Just needed another low powered back up run to Get FIA record. Sadly return run gear selection issues. Also to rub salt into the wound 2nd spare Weismann 8 speed gearbox for Wairua 1 has not been finished on time. !!!! ☹☹☹☹ Wairua 1 Chasing Outright FIA 433 Mph record is probably now a no go

Good News

Cookie is flying. Now has New FIA record 184 Mph. Old record 154 Mph. Hopefully if weather holds can chase 200 Mph.

Tomorrow

Cookie ? Chasing 200 Mph

Mini ? 1st test runs

Wairua 2 ? Hopefully testing ion Dyno for more Tuning configuration etc then Test runs.

[ack]

The weather reports you get are from Uyuni airport, it is a good 70 - 80 miles from the track. They really don't have any relationship with the weather on the salt flats. In all the times we have been there, with a couple exceptions and for a short periods of time, we would typically have 3 - 5 mph winds at most equivalent to 1.5 to 3 at sea level.  With density altitude running as high as 16,000 feet wind force is 60% less than the same speed at sea level.

Oops I got it backwards the reduction in wind force is 40% not 60%.