As a newcomer to Land Speed Racing (and this mailing list) I feel
Jonathan's comments about attracting newcomers and limiting classes
might be diametrically opposed.
I've raced at Maxton twice this year and Bonneville once. Each time
in Pushrod motorcycle classes. I've studied the classes closely and
am impressed that they seem to be well thought out. Group gas, fuel,
and blown together and you've raised the cost of being competitive by
a huge amount. Talk about a way to keep new blood out!
As for jumping classes, I guess it makes sense. If your choice of
"fuel" is gasoline and you are strong enough to take the record, have
at it. It can allow a person to get a real feeling of accomplishment
to come home with multiple records.
One other thing I noticed. The ECTA will allow you to move up a class
w/out being illegal for the lower category. The SCTA claims not to.
At Bonneville I did see one bike that was M class legal run in the A
class and set a record. The official I questioned was going to let it
stand. Quite frankly, I was disappointed. It makes me wonder how
often this happens. Pick your rules and STICK TO THEM.
Nice to meet y'all.
George Crim
Sportster List Race Team
------Original Message------
From: Jonathan Amo <webmaster@landracing.com>
To: "\"\\\"LandSpeed\\\" Louise Ann Noeth\"" <lanspeed@west.net>
Sent: August 27, 2000 7:31:28 PM GMT
Subject: Attracting new comers/ Classes
Louise and list,
Thy new blood we seek, we want to seek safe. But the newcomers
attitiude
can be shallowed without lightening the rules is the 130 mph club. You
need little to become a member, and they will have the taste of Salt
Flats
Racing. This alone will have the effect of, would I like to go faster.
9
times out of 10, sure I would. Well you have these guidelines to go
by. I
think the 130 mph and 150 mph are excellent ideas and only wish they
would
promote more with them. Campaign them along with the World of Speed
event.
Looking at the cover of event programs, and calanders there is nothing
there to promote it. Should one read into the program you will see it
there, along with the Bar Stool Racing.
What we need is a person like yourself Louise, to write an article on
it
and see if we can get it published somewhere outside of land speed
racing's circle. To gather some attention. I would be glad to put it
on
the site.
As many would say we need to do something for the fear of our sport
may be
hanging on only be a few threads. All we need to do is get it out,
most
think you need alot of money, to get something to run there. Our team
Team
Amo proves you dont need alot of money to get there, just a damn good
goal, and alot of interest.
As I have explained our sport to many around the world, the one thing
that
does defer them away, is they think about a Land Speed Record, and the
amount of classes there already are, they say there are to many.. I
would
have to agree with them on that, and the amount of classes does seem
to be
getting out of hand.
It would further say that I respect every part of the sport, but....
there
are to many classes. Lets say Land Speed Racing started today and I
was
the president (yeah right), I would make engine and body classes, but
no
seperate classes for Fuel and Gas, blown or unblown. Hey you do
whatever
it takes to get the record for your engine and body class. Everything
class would be a fuel class. You would use whatever you need to get
the
speed, dont call it unfair, you have the same rights to use whatever
power, fuel, injected means known to man for yourself too.
But then again, because the ease of creating new classes, and the
break
down of fuel, gas, blown, unblown, is this what keeps the newcomers
coming.
Jonathan Amo
www.landracing.com
\"LandSpeed\" Louise Ann Noeth wrote:
> John/list,
>
> I think we polled ourselves, you would find plenty of folks who have
> been approached with the ubiquitous, "I just want to see what it
will
> do" comment. I believe this attitude is the product of a society
that
> offers too many choices, where "a taste, or a sample" often
> constitutes little more than a notch in their life's experience
> roster. For those adventures that require time, effort, dedication
and
> thoughtful planning, the game remains the same -- safety first.
>
> I would hope and support all actions by any sanctioning body to keep
> safety paramount in its operation and not succumb to the temptation
of
> easing the rules just to gather some "new blood" which, as we all
> understand, can easily become "spilled" in an instant.
>
> I have witnessed the horrified reaction of some of the folks who
would
> like to find a way to skirt the rules when a car, or worse, a bike
has
> tumbled on the lakes or the salt. Just as it has for decades, the
> misfortune of others serves to teach an indelible and far-reaching
> lesson insofar as safety is concerned when "trying to see how fast
it
> will go." I believe we call it, "reality" -- the possible and the
> probable.
>
> Speedy Regards,
>
> "LandSpeed" Louise Ann Noeth
>
> LandSpeed Productions
> Telling stories with words and pictures
> ------------------------o0o--------------------------
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Beckett" <landspeedracer@email.msn.com>
> To: "Ed Van Scoy" <edvs@uswest.net>; "Jonathan Amo"
> <webmaster@landracing.com>
> Cc: <land-speed@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Sunday, August 27, 2000 8:17 AM
> Subject: 150mph club & attracting new members
>
> > List
> >
> > This is an interesting situation and needs more discussion. We
(LSR)
> are
> > trying to get more (new and/or younger) people involved in the
sport
> (with
> > quality equipment) and as I understand it the 130/150 Club was
> implemented
> > to attract them.
> >
> > It's absolutely amazing how many people call me at the ECTA and
want
> to know
> > about running their "1999 SpeedSport Whatever" at 200 MPH without
> roll
> > cage/bars, fire system, fire suit, etc. "I just want to try it out
> and see
> > what it will do". Obviously they have the money to go fast, or
they
> wouldn't
> > have the "SpeedSport Whatever", but I guess it's just a lark for
> them
> > without any serious commitment. But if they could run how many
would
> be
> > hooked?? To big a risk to find out? I don't know what the answer
> is??? Can't
> > shy away from safety rules.
> >
> > The bike guys seem to be the most active new members back east. Of
> course
> > all they need is the bike, riding leathers and helmet. Much
cheaper
> > investment than a car so more come out to give it a try. The
average
> guy can
> > walk into most any Motorcycle Dealership and walk out with 200 MPH
> scooter
> > today.
> >
> > ECTA is trying a new 'Street Class' this year. Simply put it has
to
> be
> > street legal, tags, insurance, mufflers etc., with proper safety
> equipment
> > for the speed levels run. Seems to have drawn interest from those
> who don't
> > fit or don't understand the /PRO, /GC or /ALT rules. Time will
tell.
> >
> > John Beckett, ECTA
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Ed Van Scoy" <edvs@uswest.net>
> > To: "Jonathan Amo" <webmaster@landracing.com>
> > Cc: <land-speed@autox.team.net>
> > Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2000 11:21 PM
> > Subject: Re: WOS 150mph club
> >
> >
> > > Jon,
> > > I try to push this program with my road racing cronys, but they
> think 150
> > > mph is too slow! Little do they know the problems involved in
> going fast
> > on
> > > salt. In 1993, the first year I took my street car up there, the
> best I
> > > could get out of it was 141 mph, yet, it had run 180 mph in the
> Silver
> > State
> > > race 2 days before! (yes it was down hill) In 1994 (yeah, I know
> the
> > program
> > > says 1995, but who cares) I brought the Vette I am now racing to
> run the
> > 150
> > > Club. It was street-legal & licensed , and was originally built
to
> run the
> > > Unlimited Class in the Silver State races. I ran 159 first pass
&
> had so
> > > much fun I promptly forgot about using it for road racing & went
> back to a
> > > stock (?) ZR-1 for Silver State. I still try to promote it
> because I
> > think
> > > it is a great entry door to this sport. USFRA is a bit gun-shy
> about this
> > > program (and I don't blame them) as one idiot can screw up and
> spoil the
> > > whole deal for all of us. Yes, you CAN crash at 150 MPH with
> disasterous
> > > results, contrary to the thinking of those who have never driven
> on salt.
> > > If I was USFRA, I would keep the program, as I see it as a great
> promotion
> > > tool, but I would change the rules to make it mandatory to make
> the 130
> > Club
> > > before turning a driver loose on the salt at up to 159.999 mph,
> per
> > current
> > > rules. Just my .02 worth..............................
> > > Ed
> > >
> > > Jonathan Amo wrote:
> > >
> > > > List,
> > > >
> > > > For those of you who run during WOS. How come we only have 10
> members in
> > > > the 150 mph club. Seems that most of us can be in the club,
why
> not be
> > > > in there. I know alot of people run faster than that, but its
> still in a
> > > > honor to be in the club.
> > > > If bike runs well during WOS and we make it there, I would be
> more than
> > > > happy to join the club members of Ed Van Scoy and Ron
> Christenson in
> > > > this club, and run the bike.
> > > > Any comments on this?
> > > >
> > > > Jonathan Amo
> > > > www.landracing.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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