List,
As I suggested a year ago when this same subject was discussed, the thing
racers respect is their peers. Any record which is accepted against a peer
standard is accorded the approval of those who care and matter most, other
racers. For anyone else it's a curiosity!
USFRA was the first of the Bonneville/hot-rod/saltflats racing governing
groups to offer FIA certification. This was because some of the racers
wanted it. Rick Vesco could give you all the details. Continuing that
certification proved to be very expensive and was allowed to lapse because
of costs. Fred Larsen and the Tradup/Thomason streamliners for instance,
both set FIA records and as was mentioned, the FIA bias is toward such
envelope bodied cars. The question is whether the number of classes
recognized by SCTA/BNI, USFRA, ECTA and the Australian group, all using the
same class and safety rules, are a workable number for a new authenticating
group, whatever it be or wherever it may be. With the acceptance by the
involved racers however and the demonstrated ability of these groups to time
and govern record setting, who better to dictate the rules and to approve
the record times? We don't need another governing body!
Is there anyone else with the expertise, participation and recognition?
There are no better safety crews for this type of racing, no better venues
and no more experience in managing land-speed racing. Oh yes, and it's
amateur.
Quit trying to re-invent the wheel. Polish what we have and give it the
respect it has earned.
Wes
on 2/3/01 7:11 AM, Malcolm Pittwood at MPittwood@compuserve.com wrote:
> Tim and the List,
>
> With so many mailings and a few 'offshoot' topics I thought I should try to
> summarise to date what I understand the aim/desire/wish/dream of all this
> chat was about. I present my summary on the basis of a few statements of
> 'fact' (well they may just have been said long enough so as to be accepted
> as ...)
**************************************************************************
>
> * The FIA as a Governing Body is considered by the majority of land speed
> racers to be unable to meet the needs of racers who wish to claim Worlds
> Best Speeds or 'World Records'. The FIA rules do not embrace all types of
> race vehicles.> Nothing will be forced on them.
> Do racers want this? I do not know - we have not voted (another poll for
> landracing.com, Jonathan). I would think that 21st century racers would
> like to run to 21st century standards. If we do not set something down in
> print now, no one will ever know. I would have thought that many people
> would like to have their efforts recognised worldwide.
> More Rules? & Higher Costs? Perhaps different rules for some already
> racing but not more. I would favour less rules than any group before, but
> that may not be possible. Higher costs? There will be a cost to run any
> organising group (unless it takes on commercial sponsorship) and those
> competing to its rules will foot the bill. However, these costs may be
> instead of paying money to others, it will depend on the circumstances
> around the World. If an event can operate to 'all' standards then the
> racers costs will not increase.
///
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