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Re: Recap on 'World Records Topic'

To: John Beckett <landspeedracer@email.msn.com>
Subject: Re: Recap on 'World Records Topic'
From: tim schoeny <tschoen@fuse.net>
Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2001 06:08:40 -0500
Ok lets try a real-world test of this idea this Spring.I'll try to take out a
current SCTA/BNI record that was set at B'ville-but I'll do it at Maxton by at
least 1% and make a backup run(in the same direction of course) and then
interested parties can debate what this all means in the context of a "world
standard" record attempt.Anybody interested?
                                                                  Tim Schoeny

John Beckett wrote:

> List
>
> 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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