Fast Donnie at the 2016 L'Ultime Descente Speed Challenge
Fast Donnie at the 2015 East Coast Challenge
In 2015, Fast Donnie Schoettler was on fire. Cleaning house in every race he entered with his sleek yellow GF1 gravity car. Two of the major wins under his belt that year were the prestigious West Coast Challenge and the East Coast Challenge. He was virtually unstoppable. Fast D would later join the Bodrodz Xtreme Gravity Racing team the following year and would become the first gravity car over the 100 mph barrier and set a WGSA world record in Canada at the L'Ultime Descente Speed Challenge
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"Fast Donnie" Schoettler would join Bodrodz Xtreme Gravity Racing in the summer of 2016. Schoettler and Anderson had become best of friends after racing each other thru the years. With high hopes, Anderson approached Fast Donnie and threw out the question if he would be interested in becoming an honorary member of the Bodrodz team. To Anderson's dismay, Schoettler quickly replied "absolutely not". Then added "drop the honorary and I'm all in". On that day, Bodrodz Xtreme Gravity Racing had just become the fastest gravity car team in the world. And now with one of the greatest gravity car pilots of all time on board, the rest of this Bodrodz story would soon go down in the gravity speed racing history books, thanks to Fast Donnie and the Bodrodz Xtreme Gravity Racing team.
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"Fast Donnie" Schoettler and Doug Anderson 2016
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Fast Donnie , bottom row, far left, with some of the So Cal gravity car greats.
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Fast Donnie, a southern California native, was no stranger to speed. Donnie drove numerous race cars thru the years before his career in gravity cars starting in 2008. Donnie would become heavily involved in the Southern California outlaw gravity racing scene. His first gravity car was built from electric wheelchair parts. From 2008 thru 2012 he would race and eventually manage S.C.I.S.R., Southern California Illegal Soapbox Racers. In outlaw gravity racing, like fighter pilots, everybody has a code name. The name "Fast Donnie" would become well known throughout the gravity car racing society. Fast Donnie would also race in Ventura Underground League of Gravity Racers, V.U.L.G.R, and another well known outlaw club, the San Fernando Valley Illegal Soap Box Federation, S.F.V.I.S.F. The races would be held with as many as 40 cars in attendance at undisclosed hillside roads in So Cal suburbia in the early morning hours with speeds in the 40's and 50's. The race format, one run and done. A quick bragging session and gone.
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Schoettler wrote: "I want to thank the guys who started the groups in So. California that took me to this moment. The "godfather" Paul DeValera S.F.V.I.S.B.F. Jay MacIntosh and "dirty" Dave McGowan V.U.L.G.R. Ian Montgomery S.C.I.S.R Steve Weems, S.U.C.K.E.R and to all the racers from these groups I had the opportunity to meet and race with. Secondly I want to thank a few of these guys who forced me to up my game continuously by beating me repeatedly along the way, fortunately, not into submission...I chased these elite racers for a long time. In approximate chronological order: Randy Weller, Ronald Gaines, Steve Weems, best friend ever, Danny Bern, and Scott Bassett, and especially, Doug Anderson who really started all this top speed stuff."
Because of a major accident, urban gravity racing groups dwindled quickly. Enter Steve Weems, gravity car pilot great and race promoter. Weems would create the Sierra Ultimate Coaster Kart Extreme Racer group. S.U.C.K.E.R. which Fast Donnie would now have membership. This iconic club would become known as the fastest outlaw gravity road racing group in the world. The small group would race great roads such as Tuna Canyon and Onion Valley in the high Sierras. Runs over 10 miles long and speeds in the mid 80's were not uncommon. S.U.C.K.E.R. was also host to the West Coast Challenge, a multi-road high speed road race in the High Sierras and in 2015 Donnie Schoettler would win the WCC along with the S.U.C.K.E.R. Championship Series. Also that year he would travel to the east coast and win Fran Honeywell's East Coast Challenge, beating now teammate Doug Anderson in the finals. Fast Donnie would also run an 89 MPH on the GPS that year.
Fast Donnie's 2017 wgsa world record
Bodrodz Donnie Schoettler (USA) at the 2017 L'Ultime Descente would reset his previous WGSA record he set... at last years event. Schoettler arrived at the event with a new untested G Car. So new, he would bow out of Friday morning's speed sessions. That morning he and Bodrodz Jono Searby would thrash to complete the car to make one run that afternoon. Fast Donnie finished off the speed event by piloting the Bodrodz Grey Ghost to a blistering speed posting and upping his previous WGSA world record to 160.00 km/h 99.41 mph.
Fast Donnie's 2017 World Record Recap The event: 2017 L'Ultime Descente Where: Les Eboulements, Quebec, Canada When: Sept. 15 - 17 2017 My 2017 L'Ultime Descente recap: This event, to me means hanging out with old and new friends you only get to see once or twice a year and with an elite group o...f people who share a passion and have taken it to it's pinnacle. To do this event is an honor. To do it the best is a feeling beyond description. This year for me it was just an honor. I just never gave myself the opprtunity to be the best this year and that disappointment falls on my shoulders alone. In a nutshell, I never had the car ready before, during or after the event. Without the help from friends at home and Bodrodz UK and Bodrodz USA teammates, I probably never would have made a single pass at the hill. Although there is a huge list of problems and disappointments to go on about, I will move to the positive. First track day, Friday I wanted to get a couple of "half throttle" runs in as I had only sat in the car once previously and never with it moving. It was actually only the second time the wheels had been on the ground. I was only able to do 1 run before the end of the day then back to camp for more work. Second day, Saturday, since losing 1 test run on the first day I decided that from the 1 one run I did do, the car didn't feel like it was going to do anything unexpected at full speed so I went for it. Cresting the hill to top speed I realized they had not properly cleared the course of the car before me and I had to do a MAJOR brake test to avoid a collision. I finally got a full pass in a little later and had a little time for the Bodrodz guys to get some aero work done and add a little of the 100 lbs I was short on weight. We also finally had a chance to put the sponsor stickers on which was really bugging me all week-end. End of the day, air and track conditions turned to excellent and I was again not ready but had to go anyway. I managed 99 mph. from a standstill which was a new WGSA record for my class and ended up the best run for the week-end for me. Third day, Sunday, the team was able to get a few more things done on the car for me but the track conditions had gone to hell. I managed I think, 97 mph which I believe was top speed of that day. This Bodrodz team deserves yet another mention and thank you. Bodrodz UK, Jono Searby, Andy Ash and Graham Thompson and Bodrodz USA, Doug Anderson, Jason Camp, Big Chris Schafer and John Nichols, the bacon man. All of them the best in the bizz. Congratulations to every one who braved a run down that hill and congratulations to the event organizers and volunteers for an exceptional job done. Please don't ever stop having this event, I don't think you realize how special it is becoming. I think I have another full speed year or two left in the old bones and I hope to pilot the fastest car once again next year, especially if I don't have to build it and haul it 6,500 miles to enjoy it. Fastdonnie Schoettler |
Jono Searby and Fastdonnie prepping the Ghost for a run
Searby and Thompson ready to launch Fastdonnie
Searby's motivational "GO FAST" speech
Building speed
Upping his own WGSA world record 160.00 km/h 99.41 mph
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"Fast Donnie" Schoettler WGSA 200 Limited CW World Record Holder 160.00 km/h 99.41 mph
the bxgr 2016 world record story
The event: 2016 L'Ultime Descente
Where: Les Eboulements, Quebec Canada When: Sept. 9 - 11 2016 This was a world class speed racing event promoted by Pier-olivier Desmarais and Charles Antoine Lavoie. With multiple countries represented, participating in multiple disciplines, this was a true international event. This also was an invitational event and Team Bodrodz were the only gravity cars in attendance. The track: A short coarse of just 1 km / .62 miles long. However this was a mine shaft. The run started at 10% and worked it's way up to around 13% at half track, then over the cliff and into "the drop" generating massive quantities of insane accelaration down to the speed trap on the 18% grade. This was an "E" ticket ride at it's best! Then followed by a moderately hair raising sharp right hander that would cause some problems for a few riders during their shutdown process. This is the fastest gravity speed racing road in the world, period. |
The view from the bottom looking up "the drop". Grade 18%
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Andy, Jono, Fast Donnie, and Doug waiting for "GO" time.
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Bodrodz arrived with three gravity cars. Fast Donnie would pilot his GF1 car weighing in at 197 kg 436 lbs , Scott Holsenback driving the Bodrodz Bullet weighted to 199 kg 438 lbs, and Doug Anderson in the Atomic Splinter at 197 kg 436 lbs. Andy Ash, Jono Searby, and Steve Thomas of the UK had flown in to help out with the world record attempts. Cannot say enough about these guys. These guys are the best of the best, all gravity champions in the UK. Ash and Thomas in gravity car and Searby who takes care of the "monkey business" on a championship gravity sidecar.
Friday's weather was excellent. A high of 73 degrees with a baro of 29.82 hg. Fast Donnie would be first down followed by Anderson then Holsenback. Jason Camp would take care of recovery operations at the bottom. |
Late morning, right out of the box Fast Donnie would make his speed statement, posting a blistering 156.82 km/h 97.44 mph. His first time in the 90's, and deep into them as well. He had just crushed the world record held by Guy Martin at 137.76 km/h 85.6 mph. He was now the new Guinness world record holder. The car was fast. Anderson next, in the Atomic Splinter, would lay down a respectable 146.60 km/h 91.09 mph. His first time also in the 90's. Holsenback piloting the Bodrodz Bullet now had his hands full on his first run. The handling issues were now back after some body aero mods that had been made. Due to lack of time, the car was untested before going to the Canadian track. Scott could only manage to run 105.15 km/h 65.34 mph before having to brake check the speed. This was not going to be a good weekend for Holsenback and the Bullet. |
Fast Donnie at 97 MPH at the bottom!
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Holsenback and Schoettler waiting on round two Friday
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The second and final runs for the team on Friday. The baro pressure still holding steady. Anderson was first out of the gate. The Atomic Splinter managed a 148.94 km/h 92.55 mph pass. This would be the fastest the Splinter would run for the event. Holsenback would tip toe the Bullet up to speed to try to figure out what the hell was going on with his car. It would post a speed at the bottom of 111.61 km/h 69.35 MPH. Frustrated, Scott commented, "It's just like driving on ice." Fast Donnie would blast thru the trap at 157.30 km/h 97.74 MPH. The car had run flat out both runs and 97 and a half miles an hour was looking like that was all it had in it. He and Anderson were now both concerned that maybe the century mark may not be attainable, especially with thicker air forecasted for Saturday sessions. Schoettler now the new world record holder, was still not satisfied. How was he going to get thru the 100 MPH barrier? |
Saturday, the air did get thicker. 30.03 to be exact. The 100 Club membership was now in question. The team would prep the cars and run after lunch hoping the air might thin a bit.
Steve Thomas and Doug Anderson would go over every inch of the Bullet looking for answers to fix the current handling issue. Nothing major found. Holsenback would wheel the Bullet one more time. Emerging from the grocery store after getting track supplies, Steve Thomas came carrying out assorted cardboard boxes. The "Aero Wizard" now at the track with the help of Jono and Andy, would fab a helmet fairing off the back of his Schoettler's helmet in effort to clean up the air. Anderson would run 145.46 km/h 90.38 mph in the thicker air. The low 90's is all the Atomic Splinter could muster for it's dimensions and aero. For an aero shoebox, Anderson and Camp were both surprised it went as fast as it did. Both were pleased with it's performance. Holsenback pushed the Bullet to 115.71 km/h 71.89 MPH and threw in the towel. He said it was just unmanageable. The team because of safety concerns for both driver and spectators elected to trailer the car. With Holsenback disgusted, the Bullet was done for the weekend. |
Steve Thomas with assistance from Jono and Andy works his aero magic.
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The Bodrodz UK trio's aero treatment had worked! Steve Thomas was now well on his way to becoming the teams most valuable player for the weekend! Fast Donnie, on his next pass, had just tripped the beams at 160.38 km/h 99.65 MPH, upping the record again! Steve had just squeezed 2 mph out of Fast Donnie's yellow speed wagon with a banana box and yellow tape. Schoettler was now knocking on the door of the Century Club. There would be one more run of the day and Sunday's weather forecast not good....... wind and rain. If he was going to go faster, this run would be it. It was now up to Steve to ring out just a little bit more on this last run to get him in the 100 Club. Steve and the team would go to work.
Fast Donnie had just missed the elusive triple digit mark by .35 miles an hour, now the media's question was "Do you think you can do it?"
The 2016 Bodrodz World Record Push Team, Jono Searby and Andy Ash, with Bodrodz MVP, Steve Thomas watching on, would shove "Fast Donnie" Schoettler and his yellow projectile into the history books on Sept 10 2016. Fast Donnie would hurtle thru the speed trap and post a mind numbing 162.60 km/h 101.03 MPH! Steve Thomas and the Bodrodz Team had done it in their last hour.
Photo credit: Marie-Pier Houde
Photo credit: Marie-Pier Houde
The Bodrodz 2016 World Record Gravity Car Team with Fast Donnie
On Saturday Sept. 10 2016 Bodrodz Fast Donnie while running under the Guinness Gravity Car rules would lay down a run of 162.60 km/h 101.03 MPH! Guinness allows the starting roll off with a legal human assisted push. WGSA rules do not allow any outside assistance for record atempts. Schoettler would run Sunday afternoon, Sept. 11 under WGSA rules in far less than favorable conditions. Fighting headwinds and crosswinds on the course, Fast Donnie was still able to trip the beams at an impressive 155.67 km/h 96.72 MPH from a standing start for the new WGSA record. Schoettler now has set his sights on being the first to the 100 MPH WGSA record in the near future. Fast Donnie's next and final event run would be with a send off from Jono and Andy. In the wind, Schoettler would still lay down a 160.04 km/h 99.44 MPH to finish off the weekend. |
Bodrodz would like to thank Jono Searby, Andy Ash, and the man who ultimately made these world records happen, Steve Thomas. Thanks for your dedication and teamwork in making 2016 Bodrodz Speed Quest an over the top success. Great friends, great times! See everybody next year. Cheers!
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Bodrodz "Fast Donnie" Schoettler had just put Bodrodz Xtreme Gravity Racing into the history books this historic weekend. He would set two new world speed records and eclipse a gravity milestone. On Saturday, Donnie would annihilate Guy Martin's previous record of 85.6 mph and reset the speed bar at 101.03 MPH. In doing so, would be the first gravity car thru the 100 MPH barrier. Fast Donnie would join an elite group with Mike McIntyre (street luge) and Roger Hickey (street luge), the only three men on the planet in the Gravity Century Club! Finally on Sunday, Schoettler running under WGSA rules, would run from a standing start with no push assistance, would set the new WGSA world record at 155.67 km/h 96.73 mph in less than favorable conditions. Overall, for the weekend, Donnie would finish runner-up for top speed of the event. Narrowly missing the top spot held by street luge pilot Mike McIntyre by .94 mph! An incredible historic weekend for the Bodrodz Xtreme Gravity Racing Team!
Fast Donnie records first gravity car speed over 100 mph while running under Guinness Soapbox rules
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Fast Donnie sets new 2016 WGSA world record 155.67 km/h 96.73 MPH
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Congratulations to Bodrodz "Fast Donnie" Schoettler 101.03 MPH
I just did 101 mph. "WHAT"S IN YOUR WALLET?"
The world's fastest gravity car "Fast Donnie" Schoettler 101.03 MPH 2016
The Fast Donnie gallery
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