Ardun Doug,
You said it well and I thoroughly agree.
I feel like adding some of my own thoughts, since
I've been lurking for at least two months:
The variety of cars, speeds and especially some of the
"why didn't I think of that" innovations or the "that's a really
wierd design but it works" contraptions incorporated in these
different vehicles is what attracted Dan & I to the great
sport of LandSpeed Racing.
We helped WOS Pres Gary Allen crew at last year's
Speedweek. Yeah, it was hot, yeah, it was the second day
and the line was long and slow. But the experiences I had
in that two hour wait will be forever remembered. Like
realizing we were right behind those Maxton - East Coast
Timing guys and getting to finally meet them after many
emails. Like the nice nap I had on Gary's cool van floor.
Like drinking most of Gary's Gateraid and thankful for every sip.
Like the excitement of finally getting to the starting line and
helping him strap in, roll up windows, etc. Like chasing after
him in his Speedy van, trying to video his whole run.
I could go on and on, cause he got into impound on that run,
even tho the guy with the tubo got the record.
Dan & I were privileged and thrilled to watch as Ardun
Doug King got his 200 mph hat right there on the salt.
The point of this long-winded testimonial is that the
variety of the cars is what makes LandSpeed Racing. How else
can we get to know such a variety of people and
have the variety of experiences?
Let them all come, pay their fees and experience it with
their own type of vehicle.
Kris Wright
USFRA advertising and registration
and sometimes Office Manager
Cimarron Software, Inc.
The Laboratory and Workflow Analysis Company
ARDUNDOUG@aol.com wrote:
> Group,
> This thread reminds me of an incident about 10 years ago at World Of
> Speed. A couple of railbirds (namely a high-ranking NHRA official and a
> certain bespectacled writer) made some comments that later got into a
> national magazine regards the "slower cars". Seems they were both lamenting
> the number of these "slower than 200MPH" entries that, according to them,
> were benevolently allowed to run at WOS despite his stated opinion that the
> event was intended for the "faster" 200+ MPH cars.
> If the event promoters were to limit cars to a minimum speed, thus
> excluding a significant portion of the entries, the so-called "faster cars"
> would see their entry fees significantly inflated. If the "faster cars" want
> the course all to themselves let them rent it from the BLM and conduct a
> private or "by invitation only" meet.
> The biggest threats to LSR nowadays are: 1. over zealous
> environmentalists, 2. corporate entities that are raping the slat flats and
> not repleneshing what they take, and 3. a diminishing base of young
> up-and-coming competitors.
> We are all vigilant to protect the hobby from #1 and our Save the Salt
> has hopefully made lasting progress towards #2. #3, however, is the
> responsibility of all of us. Each racer, car or bike, must respect and honor
> the differences of choice that make some competitors choose Model "A"
> engines, some to choose 50cc motorcycles, some to choose Flatheads, some to
> choose electric vehicles, turbines, or steam power. Another racers choice of
> engine, fuel, and chassis class might not make any sense to us, but remember
> that our class probably doesn't make any sense to him either. If the guy in
> the 300-400MPH Liner can wait for my Vintage Engine Roadster to struggle down
> the course, then I can wait for the guy in the 50cc sidecar cyle to clear the
> course.
> Both Bonneville and El Mirage have procedures to expedite the flow of
> qualifying passes. Bonneville has the long-course and short-course format
> while El Mirage has the 200MPH line to get the faster cars on with their
> business.
> Finally, I can't remember many Bonneville events where there were
> significant waiting lines after the first 2-3 days. At El Mirage, wind and
> weather nonwithstanding there aren't many long lines when the meet is finally
> called to give the workers time to close the event before
> nightfall....................Ardun Doug King
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