Malcom, YOU KNOW YOU WERE BORN TO DO THIS, DONT YOU???
Sincerely, many people find in life a niche, yours my man (among many things I
am
sure) is to head up such an endeavor as we are currently talking about.
MAY THE FLYING ONE MILE AND KILO REMAIN THE SUPREME
BENCHMARK
I especially like
"""Any new single worldwide body ( a streamlined group with little bureaucracy
and minimal overheads) would not take over from any existing group or
organisation and NONE of the records set under conditions used in the past
years - 8, 60 or 100 - would be thrown out or dismissed in any way. Indeed
the current bodies may continue their historical methods for ever more. As
long as racers want to run to them they will continue."""
Joe :)
Malcolm Pittwood 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.
>
> * The FIM as a Governing body is only slightly better at meeting two/three
> wheel racers needs, but they demand a high $ price for sanctioning attempts
> and approving records.
>
> * The FIA and FIM Land Speed Records are (after 100 years) seen to remain
> reputable record achievements accepted world wide, because of these
> organisations regulations for making an attempt.
>
> * The SCTA/BNI has had to run most events at Bonneville to meet racers
> needs and to fit with the salt conditions and these do not accord with any
> other groups 'standards'. The speeds are accurate but are not comparable
> with FIA/FIM or, to some extent, even Bonneville's own past rules records.
>
> * The SCTA/BNI is a National American group that for 60 years has organised
> Land Speed Racing Events and Land Speed Record Attempts.
>
> * The USFRA organises a US racing event on the salt flats and their
> records, classes etc are attuned with the SCTA.
>
> * The ECTA is a more recent group that organises Land Speed Racing events
> at Maxton in the USA (on the east coast) to rules that are appropriate for
> that airfield location and to suit US National Car and bike classifications
> (SCTA).
>
> * The Motor Sport Association of the UK governs British National attempts
> (and International FIA attempts) to the operating standards of the FIA, but
> nationally over shorter timed distances ie Less than a mile or kilo). Most
> UK racers are used to organising private record attempts for single
> vehicles with all that is entailed and the big # sterling bills.
>
> * The DLRA in Australia organises an event for Land Speed Racers at Lake
> Gairdner using regulations based on SCTA/BNI rules and standards.
>
> * In the recent past, the Land Speed Authority (LSA) was created in the USA
> to be an International accrediting body for Land Speed Attempts (2 or more
> wheels). This body was not accepted by the FIA and did not gain much racer
> support and exists in name only today. Its influence and recognition did
> not spread beyond the USA.
>
> As we are just entering the 21st Century, the idea was suggested that 'open
> minds' on the LSR LIst could arrive at a Land Speed Attempt STANDARD that
> could be used anywhere in the world. Any record set anywhere to this
> standard, if it was the fastest, would be accepted by racers as a 'World
> Record'.
>
> The minds of the LSR List have put forward many comments on the topic. The
> chat has reached the stage (my assessment) when if there is ever going to
> be a Unified Speed Record community then Standards have to be developed,
> put in print, discussed and accepted. This will take time and much effort.
>
> Any new single worldwide body ( a streamlined group with little bureaucracy
> and minimal overheads) would not take over from any existing group or
> organisation and NONE of the records set under conditions used in the past
> years - 8, 60 or 100 - would be thrown out or dismissed in any way. Indeed
> the current bodies may continue their historical methods for ever more. As
> long as racers want to run to them they will continue.
>
> IF a new body is formed that meets the wishes of speed racers around the
> World, then in years to come it will maintain a full list of World Record
> Speeds relevant to this century and accepted by the racers themselves.
>
> As any organisation will be faced with costs ($s or #s or Lira etc..) then
> fees (dues) will have to be paid (unless an overall commercial sponsor is
> acceptable). Even with a great volunteer effort nothing can be free.
> However the amounts should be low as it will be a STANDARDS Authority not a
> club and organisers of events/attempts anywhere across the world will be
> asked to contribute something (pay!!).
>
> Tim wanted to know the benefits and to know specific answers - here are
> mine:
>
> Benefit: - Car Speed Racers anywhere in the world running cars of a type
> that are not streamliners (say 97%+) would be able to set World Records to
> an Internationally accepted Standard. (Bikers would gain less as FIM
> recognise many types of machine).
> Who will lose? Only those who do not wish to recognise that the World
> extends beyond their own country when their claims to being the Worlds
> fastest are no longer accepted.
> Will ECTA/SCTA/USFRA accept a new standard? I cannot answer that as I am
> not a member of any of these organisations or the clubs within them. If
> they do not embrace the new Standards then that is their committees choice.
> 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.
>
> Malcolm Pittwood, Derby, England.
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