Building a car from scratch is almost a zen-like experience. In 2009 I had the chance to help Julio Hernandez build a flathead powered bellytank to race at the dried lakebed of El Mirage, CA. and the salt flats in Bonneville, UT. People have been racing at El Mirage since the 30's but Bonneville is truly a spiritual mecca of land speed racing. Miles upon miles of flat, white salt, that's cool to the touch, while the air is 130 degrees and unbearable. The fastest cars in the world have broken records here and many people lose their lives every year. These are a few photos of the build and both lakebeds.