Tom,truly well said-we need more cool heads like yourself involved in the
sport.
Tim Schoeny
"Thomas E. Bryant" wrote:
> Mr. Ro McGonegal, Editor
> Hot Rod Magazine
>
> I feel a need to write to you concerning the Ken Walkey letter and your
> response regarding the "Fastest Small Block Chevrolet." I know that you
> have received communications that reflect the displeasure of some of my
> cohorts in Land Speed Racing. I must admit that at first glance I was
> troubled by your comment to Ken, but after rereading Ken's letter, I can
> see that he was not too kind either. I would have hoped that both Ken
> and you could be "kinder and gentler" with the comments. Quarter Mile
> and Bonneville are not in conflict with one another, actually they
> compliment each other, each having their own challenges.
>
> I don't know you, but I understand that you and Larry Volk are friends.
> If that is so, then you should know how dedicated Bonneville racers are
> to their sport. Most of us understand ¼ mile racing, many of us came out
> of that segment of auto competition. We have high respect for ¼ milers
> and their accomplishments. I'm not sure that ¼ milers have the same
> respect for what we do, though. In the past, I have witnessed some
> coming to the Salt intending to show us how to go fast only to find that
> their ¼ mile setups won't make it to the timing traps. Those ¼ milers
> that have chosen to try our sport are generally converts after finding
> that our sport provides equal challenges and more time to enjoy the
> speed.
>
> I guess what has caused the knee jerk reaction that you received from
> some is the lack of coverage of our events by Hot Rod Magazine. Once Hot
> Rod was the first place we went to find out about the Bonneville meets.
> We think that you are missing the boat by not giving more coverage to
> our sport. Hot Rod Magazine was built on this foundation and there is
> more interest in what goes on there than you seem to realize. It is true
> that, compared to the ¼ mile, Bonneville doesn't have the spectator
> appeal, but this is an amateur sport where anyone can compete with
> limited expense.
>
> In my view, there is nothing that compares with looking at the "floating
> mountain" through the windshield of well prepared car and listening to
> the engine build RPMs for five miles. I suppose that is why people from
> all over the world spend their hard earned money to make the trip to the
> Salt, and come back year after year.
>
> Tom, Redding CA,
> #216 D/FCC, Bonneville, El Mirage, and Muroc Record Holder
> In competition @ Bonneville since 1957
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