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Don't see how this idea can get any less threatening than this.
John Beckett
#79, Worlds Fastest Chevette
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Amo" <jkamo@rapidnet.com>
To: "Malcolm Pittwood" <MPittwood@compuserve.com>
Cc: "LSR List" <land-speed@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2001 8:18 PM
Subject: Re: Recap on 'World Records Topic'
> Malcom,
> 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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